The Red Devils were winless three years ago in Coach Richard Singleton’s final season with the team.
Curtis Middleton came in as coach in 2007, and the Red Devils had a 1-9 campaign. Last season, Liberty finished the year 2-8. Liberty’s chance to take that next step begins Aug. 21, when the Red Devils host Christ Church Episcopal.
Opening the season at home against a single-A team may sound like “padding your schedule” to some, but Christ Church has a quality program that consistently has wins over large schools and is in the mix for the state single-A division title every season.
That’s what Liberty found out when the Red Devils fell to Christ Church 35-21 in last years season opener on the road. Red Devils fans are hoping the home field, and a year’s improvement will make a difference this season.
Liberty then takes a “bye” week Aug. 28, while most other schools in the state will be opening their season.
The Red Devils make their first appearance on the road for the 2009 season Sept. 4 at Pickens. Liberty has had little luck securing a win against Pickens in the past seven years, including last year’s 47-6 loss, but the Red Devils have been able to scare the Blue Flame, such as in 2004 when Pickens edged Liberty 20-16.
The Red Devils will try to make it two in a row against Carolina Academy on Sept. 11, as the Red Devils travel to Greenville to face the Trojans. Liberty defeated Carolina 21-12 last season at Red Devil Field.
The Red Devils return home Sept. 18 to face former Skyline AA foe West-Oak. The Warriors moved up to the AAA level last season, and scored a 33-14 win over their former conference rivals.
Liberty then travels to Landrum, another single A school, hoping to repeat its victory from last season.
The Red Devils begin their Skyline AA schedule Oct. 2 at Walhalla. The Razorbacks defeated Liberty 50-24 last season, and finished the season 4-6, barely losing out to Crescent for the fourth and final Skyline AA spot in the state playoffs.
On Oct. 9, Liberty returns home to face Pendleton, The Bulldogs shut out Liberty 45-0 last season. Pendleton finished the 2008 regular season with a 3-2 record in Skyline AA, and won the tiebreaker to be placed second. The Bulldogs defeated Broome in the first round of the playoffs, but fail to Fairfield-Central in round two.
Liberty will host Emerald Oct. 16. Emerald, the school made from the run-over from Greenwood High School, joined the Skyline AA last season, and defeated Liberty 38-8 last season in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
The Vikings went on to finish the season with a 4-7 record after a high-scoring loss to Southside in the first round of the AA playoffs.
The last Skyline AA game Liberty won was in 2007 against Crescent. Crescent got revenge last season at Red Devil Field, by defeating Liberty 30-16. On Oct. 23, the Red Devils will try to be the fifth straight visiting team to win in this rivalry.
Liberty finishes the regular season Oct. 30 against defending Skyline AA champions Abbeville. The Panthers lost to Woodruff in the Upstate semi-finals last season.
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