Liberty-Bakersfield gains sweet redemption, beats Buchanan in CS semifinal

After losing 'lightning game' in September, the Patriots use four touchdowns from quarterback Cole O'Brien to win 28-20

CLOVIS, Calif. — The last time left both teams feeling a little empty.  

On Friday, there was a definitely thrill of victory and agony of defeat. 

Defending Central Section Division I champion Liberty-Bakersfield has a strong chance to repeat now following a 30-20 win at Buchanan in an intense semifinal showdown at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 

The intensity mirrored the early September battle between the teams, a 35-27 Buchanan win that was marred by lightning, ending the contest with 11 left in the fourth quarter.

Liberty had roared back with two straight touchdowns in that one and had all the momentum until Mother Nature stepped in.  

Both teams pointed to November and figured they'd face off again. They surely did and this time the third-seeded Patriots gained some redemption thanks to quarterback Cole O'Brien, who accounted for four touchdowns. Xander Chisolm and Kresean Kizzy each added receiving touchdowns.

Xander Chisolm (1) and Christian Edwards (2) enjoy a Liberty moment. Photo: Bobby Medellin

It was the second straight season that Liberty has ended Buchanan's season in the semifinals.

The Patriots advances to the CIF Central Section Division 1 championship game against San Joaquin Memorial, a 28-20 upset winner over top seed Clovis West. The title game will be played in Bakersfield.

"Hats off to them, four years in a row we have played them and it's always a battle," Liberty coach Bryan Nixon said. "We talked about it being a 48 minute ball game and they came out and played 48 minutes."
The game played in September was a motivating factor for the Patriots.

"They ended the last game early and we were mad, we just wanted to come out here and be ready to compete," Kizzy said. "We just came out here on our P's and Q's on offense and defense and handled business."

Buchanan opened the scoring when Mekhi Johnson intercepted an O'Brien pass and returned it 22-yards for a touchdown. Buchanan led 7-0 with 6:05 left in the first quarter.

Liberty tied it at 7 on the ensuing possession when O'Brien connected with Kizzy for an 11-yard touchdown with 4:08 left in the first quarter.

The Bears retook the lead early in the second quarter after a 12-yard touchdown run by Kannon Campbell with 11:52 left in the first half. A missed extra point made it 13-7.

The Patriots once again responded scoring in 11 seconds when O'Brien found Chisolm on an 11-yard touchdown. After an extra point the Patriots led 14-13 with 11:41 left in the half.

Cole O'Brien (11) accounted for four touchdowns for Liberty. Photo: Bobby Medellin

O'Brien added a 4-yard touchdown run with 51 seconds left in the first half to give his team a 21-13 lead at halftime.
Liberty took the opening possession of the second half, drove 57 yards capped by a 1-yard TD keeper from O'Brien, making it 28-13. 

Buchanan cut the lead to 28-20 with 11:55 left in the game after a 5-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Mandal to Campbell.

Liberty held off Buchanan the remainder of the game and sealed the win.

"This win means a lot, we expect to be here every year," O'Brien said. "Not being able to finish the game in week three left a bad taste in our mouths we felt like we could have came back and won. This is always a rivalry game so always have motivation."

All photos by Bobby Medellin