Liebscher shines as Bluejays get opening day football win

The Three Lakes-Phelps varsity football team kicked off the 2026 eight-player football season last Friday at Three Lakes High School, where a large crowd watched the Bluejays beat the Bobcats of Florence High School 28-12. Owen Liebscher was the main attraction, scoring four touchdowns, including an 88-yard kick return in the third quarter that seemed to drain the Bobcats of their energy. He also rushed for 69 yards, had eight total tackles and made two interceptions.

Jack Westfall and Sam Koshuta were also key contributors, with Koshuta throwing for a touchdown and then scoring four additional points through two conversion scores after Liebscher touchdowns. He then added some hard-hitting tackles and an interception on the defensive side of the field, while Westfall led the club in rushing yardage and solo tackles.

Zach Weavers, Garrett Mandli and Bentley Bills had fine performances of their own with a collective 37 total tackles. Weavers added three kicks averaging 36 yards and also had two sacks; Mandli had an 11-yard pass reception, a nine-yard rush and a quarterback sack. First-year starters Peter Cruckson and Logan Running pitched in with a combined seven total tackles, and freshman Dylan Wallschlaeger had two solo tackles in his first game as a member of the Bluejays.

While the performance on the field was impressive against a long-time rival, perhaps the leading contributor on this opening night of football was new Head Coach Pat George as he worked with assistant coaches Rich Martin and Scott LeBuis on developing new plays, routes and other schemes that were utilized in the victory. What George brought beyond the playbook was his extensive football knowledge, prior decade of coaching experience and a tough no-nonsense approach to the game.

“This win was important for me and the team,” coach George said after the game. “It really sets us up for the balance of the season. A win like this will carry into practice this week, and then into the next game as the boys build confidence along the way.” He added acknowledgement of some minor team miscues, but said he was impressed with how the players reacted. “We showed a lot of character in this game,” he said, “and it all came down to how we responded when things didn’t go as planned.”

The coach pointed to the way Liebscher responded on two specific occasions. The first example was in the second quarter when the Jays led 8-0. Florence bounced back with a touchdown run and were trailing 8-6 with possession of the ball near midfield. The Bobcats had a fourth down and a short three yards to go. As the ball was snapped, Liebscher shot six yards past the line like a dart and tackled the ball carrier for a loss of yardage and a turnover on downs.

Not only did this play shift momentum to the Bluejays, but Liebscher took advantage of it by scoring two minutes later to give the home team a 14-6 lead. Then, late in the third quarter when Florence started to come alive with their second touchdown, Liebscher responded 30 seconds later with an 88-yard scoring run that immediately zapped the energy from the Bobcats and sealed the 28-12 win for the Jays.

“Owen did a great job making things happen,” George said. “His individual effort was impressive, and he has the strength, conditioning and desire to have a major impact on a game. I am proud of him and the rest of the squad for their commitment to our game plan. Sam, Jack, Bentley, Zach and Garrett were all very instrumental in getting this done. They were tough as nails, and they played to win.”

George also recognized the impact of the enthusiastic crowd on opening day, and of the new goal posts, field graphics and concession building with restrooms.

“Our athletic director and the entire school district did a great job in bringing improved conditions on and around the football field,” he said. “We could hear support loud and clear, and the boys enjoyed playing in these conditions.”

The Bluejays have a short week of practice before hosting Phillips High School this Thursday, August 27, in Three Lakes for the first conference game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled at 7:00 p.m.