Liebscher builds new highlight reel as Jays trounce Wausaukee

The Three Lakes-Phelps varsity football team defeated the Rangers of Wausaukee High School 44-0 on the road last Friday night. This was the second shutout victory for the Bluejays in the last three games, and the second consecutive week of senior Owen Liebscher making an acrobatic one-handed catch. Two weeks ago, his catch was made on defense through an interception against Laona-Wabeno. Last week, the dramatic play was made on a second-quarter 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Koshuta. In total, the dynamic duo connected for four touchdowns in the air against the Rangers.

Liebscher made another highlight-reel play with his feet in the third quarter when he took a handoff from Koshuta and scrambled 43 yards for his fifth TD of the night. What made this run special was the fact that Liebscher made contact with at least six Rangers behind the line of scrimmage before breaking away for a solo sprint down the sideline. Fans of both teams could be heard each time he touched the ball with mixed reactions depending on which side of the field they were sitting.

“This kid has special talent,” Head Coach Pat George said after the Liebscher performance, “and he is definitely the engine that makes our team move forward. When you have a gifted athlete like Owen, my responsibility as a coach is to get him as many touches as possible that complements what we are trying to accomplish on the field.”

The coach added that Liebscher is not only a leader on the field but that he is starting to show the same level of leadership on the sideline, encouraging others.

Koshuta and Jack Westfall also had outstanding performances in the shutout win.

“Sam and Jack really showed up for this game,” George said, “with great stat lines and joining Owen as overall leaders on this club.”

Koshuta passed for 215 yards and not only hit Liebscher for long scoring plays, but he also connected with Westfall on a 29-yard touchdown throw while being hit by a Rangers defender. Westfall then made several long runs in the second half to help the Bluejays control the ball after building a sizeable 38-0 first-half lead.

He ended the day with 144 yards as the Jays cruised to the 44-0 win.

The Bluejays started the game with a full-throttle effort, scoring 30 points in the first quarter with four passing touchdowns, one passing 2-point conversion, one running 2-point conversion and by getting a 2-point safety. While the offense was lighting up the scoreboard early, George said the defense and special teams also played crucial roles throughout the game in dominating the Rangers. Zach Weavers, for example, made another successful onside kick, and eight players had multiple tackles.

Weavers, Koshuta, Liebscher and Bentley Bills each had five solo tackles to their credit by the end of the contest, led by Koshuta with three tackles for loss of yardage, three sacks and an interception. Garrett Mandli had four tackles, while Westfall, Peter Cruckson, Logan Running and Dylan Wallschlaeger collectively added nine. Cruckson also made a nice 30-yard pass reception in the second quarter, and Mandli had a nice catch and 13-yard run along the Wausaukee sideline later in the game.

“This was a well-balanced effort,” George said, “and everybody did their part. Early we softened their defense with long plays by Owen, and then we hammered them with rushing by Jack. Between all of that, our lines held up well, and we continued to play tough physical football to the end. It took a full effort because Wausaukee also played a very physical game and is a hard-hitting team. Now it’s time to start stringing some of these wins in a row.”

The team will have its next chance to get a streak going this Friday, September 25, when the third-place Rib Lake Redmen visit Three Lakes High School for an important conference matchup. The Bluejays have an overall record of 4-2 this season, just behind Rib Lake in the Northwoods-Eight Conference standings. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.