November 19, 1999

Liberty Center seeking another title

By Ed Fox
Sports Writer

LIBERTY CENTER -- Been there, done that.

Liberty Center is no stranger to the state playoffs.

The Tigers are in the playoffs for the seventh time in the school's history and will meet Mohawk at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Division V Region 18 championship game at Fostoria Memorial Stadium.

Liberty Center won the 1997 state championship with a convincing 49-8 win over Amanda-Clearcreek. It came up short last year in a bid to repeat, suffering a 28-7 loss to Versailles. In 1993, they also lost in the championship game to Steubenville Catholic Central, 17-14, in overtime.

Rex Lingruen is in his 27th year at Liberty Center and 15th as the head coach.

The Tigers are a senior-oriented team with nine upperclassmen starting on each side of the ball.

Leading the way is returning All-Ohio lineman and district lineman of the year Blake Lingruen, the coach's son, who goes 6-4, 260. He is being heavily recruited by all the Mid-American Conference schools along with Wake Forest and Michigan State.

"He's the best football player I have ever coached," said coach Lingruen. "He is a great team leader and wrestled at state. He was a nose guard on the state championship team two years ago and is the only player on this year's team which was a starter on that team."

Liberty Center is one of those schools which has mastered the wing-T offense.

Bret Silveus (5-10, 179) leads the potent ground attack for the Tigers with 1,321 yards. He averages 7.1 yards a carry and has scored 22 touchdowns. He was honorable mention all-district.

Troy Westhoven (6-1, 171) is the fullback and has gained 1,207 yards with a 7.4 average per rush and 13 touchdowns. He was also honorable mention on the district team.

"Both backs do a nice job running the ball but the big thing with both of them is their ability to block for the other," said the elder Lingruen.

Robb Shadday (6-0, 165) is the quarterback and also handles the punting chores where he earned district first team honors. He has completed 36-of-82 passes for 527 yards, 11 touchdowns and suffered five interceptions. He is also averaging 37 yards a punt and has numerous boots inside the opponents 10-yard line. His hang time is excellent with only two punts returned in the first seven games of the season.

Junior Nick Pieracini and Silveus each have 10 receptions to lead the team.

Up front the offense is anchored by the younger Lingruen at center with 6-0, 225-pound Todd Mohler right beside him and he was named to the district first team offense.

"Most of our experience was up front on both sides of the ball," said Rex. "One of our main concerns will come with the fact that most of our players have to go both ways while Mohawk doesn't have nearly as many on the field all the time."

In addition to the younger Lingruen making the district first team defensive front, senior Chris Box (5-10, 250) gained second team honors.

"Lingruen is definitely one of the best players we'll face this season," said Mohawk mentor Shane Jacoby. "He really puts a lot of pressure on your center and guards. Their defense is very mobile and strong against the run."

Liberty Center opponents are only averaging 2.6 yards each time they run the ball with only 791 yards in 11 games.

Mohawk achieved strong balance last week with Mike Chester and Brandon Brause each going over 100 yards rushing and Drew Mohr also passed for more than 100 yards.

Chester has exceeded the 1,700 mark in rushing for the season and the Warriors are averaging well over 200 yards per game on the ground.

"That No. 7 (Chester) is probably one of the best backs we'll face this season," said Rex. "He has good speed and the ability to make you miss. Their fullback (Brause) also had a nice game against Smithville and you can't overlook him.

"Mohr does a nice job throwing the ball and you've always got to be aware of their halfback pass with Chester. He has a good arm. No. 88 (Grant Good) really shows the ability to get up in the air to catch the ball. Their line is very physical on both sides of the ball and we've got to control the line of scrimmage to be successful."