Liberty Crowned Arizona’s Open Division Champs Again, Defending Their Throne for a Second Year

The Liberty Lions have once again asserted their dominance in Arizona high school football. Under the guidance of head coach Colin Thomas, the team clinched the Open Division state championship by defeating Basha 35-17 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Saturday night.

This victory marks yet another significant achievement for Liberty, who also triumphed over notable competitors throughout the season. They secured wins against the 6A state champion, Centennial, and runner-up Mountain View, alongside the 5A champion, Desert Edge, while clinching the 6A Northeast Valley region title.

Liberty’s only defeat came at the hands of Centennial High from California in September. Entering the playoffs on a six-game winning streak, the Lions faced formidable opponents, ultimately earning a No. 4 seed for the playoffs.

In the quarterfinals, the Lions crushed No. 5 Higley, a two-time 5A state champion, with a score of 64-26. They continued their strong performance in the semifinals, eliminating No. 8 Hamilton 56-24 to secure their spot in the championship game against No. 2 Basha, the 2022 Open Division champion.

The game began with Basha taking an early lead via a field goal. However, the Bears suffered a setback when star wide receiver Gio Richardson was injured, affecting their offensive strategy. Liberty seized the moment, scoring a touchdown shortly thereafter and regaining control of the game.

Despite exceptional efforts from Basha, including a short-lived lead established in the second quarter, Liberty’s offensive prowess proved too much to handle. Key plays included back-to-back touchdowns by Dominic Lombardo, expanding the Lions’ lead before halftime.

Halfway through the game, the atmosphere intensified with the Arizona State University football team celebrating their Big 12 Championship victory during halftime, adding to the excitement for the Liberty fans.

As the match progressed, Liberty maintained their momentum, extending their lead further with multiple touchdowns from Lombardo and Esteban Denny-Lamas, sealing their victory and solidifying their place as champions.

This marks Liberty’s third state championship win, complementing their previous titles in 2019 and 2023. With a historical record of 3-1 in state championship games, Liberty continues to portray a legacy of excellence in Arizona high school football.

Basha concludes their championship run with a 0-2 record in Open Division finals, having never competed in other state championship games outside of the Open format.