The Redhawks (9-1) scored a 27-24 win over the previously undefeated Lovejoy Leopards (9-1) Thursday in the the final District 7-5A game of the year, earning the Redhawks a share of the district championship along with Lovejoy and Frisco.

“I have to point to this senior class,” head coach Matt Swinnea said. “That first year of 2019 our slogan and our hashtag was let it begin. We had a goal and playing as 15 sophomores on varsity that first year, just knowing it was going to be a growth process, it’s just an awesome feeling to realize what these kids accomplished and what they came out to do.”

Heading into the game, nobody outside the program thought they could win with all predictions from the Dallas Morning News anticipating another Lovejoy win. 

“We were doubted heavily by other schools and people around the state,” quarterback, junior Keldric Luster said. “Everybody thought Lovejoy was going to walk all over us, just because of them being one of the good teams in the state.”

“When we went in, we all came out with a strong attitude,” junior Alex Trevino said. “We all wanted to win and we believed that we could do so.”

Entering the game with a combined record of 17-1, the matchup between the Redhawks and Leopards was broadcast by ESPNU.

“When we were in the locker room before the game, the coaches told us to just treat it like a regular game,” senior Aaron Rogers said. “That is what we came out and did. We came out there and fought. We did it on national TV too which made it even better.”

With every player focused on completing their assignment on each play, wide receivers coach Kenneth Schiumo Jr. feels that the ability of the team to bring it all together is a crucial factor in the team’s success.

“It’s so easy to have success when you don’t care who gets the credit,” he said. “We don’t have those individual personalities on our team, the people that are selfish in their ways. You know, it is a true, selfless team. It’s a family and our team culture really put us over the top in that game.”

Having already clinched a playoff spot, the team entered the game with a mentality of nothing to lose. 

“The pressure was off, because we’re still in the playoffs either way, and we’re probably going to have a good matchup,” offensive line coach Allen Harris said. “I think that really helped us play loose and play the way we did throughout the game.

Only three points separated the Redhawks and Leopards with 14 seconds on the clock when senior Sam Wenaas intercepted a Lovejoy pass in the end zone.

“As a defense we adjusted and played perfectly,” Wenaas said. “We worked adjusting the motions and stuff so much in practice that I think we did a great job. Everyone put in the work to make the play so I’m thankful for all of them.”

Once the underdogs, the now soaring Redhawks put the school’s football program back on the map. 

“A lot of people doubted us going in,” Schiumo said. “You know though, we shocked the world. I mean, literally the world. We were on national television. So when that game ended, I was so excited for our guys, you know, so excited for our campus culture and our community, and Liberty. Football’s back for sure.”