Peoria, AZ – The Peoria Liberty Lions have once again proven to be the top high school football team in Arizona. After quietly working through the 2024 season without any loud declarations, the Lions claimed their second consecutive Open Division state title with a decisive 35-17 victory over Chandler Basha at Mountain America Stadium on Saturday night.
This year’s Liberty squad has seen notable contributions on the defensive side of the ball, led by junior outside linebacker Hudson Dunn and safety Zeth Thues. These players, along with teammates Paz St. John, Lajay Salas, and Caden Branston, were key in dominating the Bears’ offense. Thues and Salas were newcomers to Liberty, having transferred from Saguaro, where they also triumphed in a state title last year.
The game was energized when the Arizona State Sun Devils football team made a surprise appearance. Navi Bruzon, last year’s Liberty quarterback and current ASU player, shared hugs with current Lions quarterback Hayden Fletcher and head coach Colin Thomas. Fletcher expressed the excitement: “That was super cool… My hat’s off to them.” Thomas added, “Yeah, Navi’s got a special place at Liberty.”
Despite a strong start, Basha faced setbacks, especially with their star playmaker Gio Richardson leaving due to injury early in the game. Head coach Chris McDonald acknowledged the challenge, stating, “It’s tough when you lose one of the most explosive playmakers in the state.”
Liberty showed their prowess on the field, dominating the line of scrimmage and holding Basha to just 44 rushing yards through three quarters. The Lions rolled up a total of 394 yards of offense, with junior running back Dominic Lombardo leading the charge, contributing three touchdowns and 126 rushing yards. With 21-10 at halftime, Liberty took control and showed resilience throughout the game.
In reflection, Coach Thomas was pleased with the way his team forged their own path this season. Liberty finished with a remarkable 12-1 record, their only loss coming from the out-of-state powerhouse Corona Centennial. Thomas noted, “The kids did a great job of finding the message we had,” giving credit to the players for building their legacy.
As the Peoria community celebrates this impressive feat, the Lions continue to establish themselves as a formidable force in high school football, keeping a stronghold on their state title and inspiring pride among fans and players alike.
