Prep football: Liberty Ranch’s Draeger leads key win over Rosemont

Running back Arthur Draeger scored four touchdowns as Liberty Ranch defeated Rosemont 35-16 Friday night in Galt. The win was the Hawks’ seventh straight as they close in on taking a Sierra Valley Conference title.

Draeger not only led the offense, he also starred on defense, plugging gaps and making stops as a middle linebacker.

Coach Warren Schroeder thinks Draeger, a senior, needs to get more looks from colleges.

“He’s sick! And it’s not just offense but also defense. I mean, the kid does everything and, you know, we’re really trying to get his name out there,” Schroeder said. “He deserves attention.”

Draeger is yet to get any offers to play in college but Schroeder hopes it’s just a matter of time before he has options to consider. Schroeder said it’s not just his on-field demeanor but also his off-the-field decorum that should make him appealing.

“He does it all. I’d be hard-pressed to go back in my 20 years of coaching to find a kid as special and well-rounded as him. That’s why he needs a look,” Schroeder said.

All his effort Friday wasn’t a given. Draeger didn’t feel well before the game but pushed through. That sort of perseverance has been key to the Hawks’ successful season. He made sure to first praise his teammates for his four-touchdown performance:

“We all play for each other,” he said. “Me and Gavin (O’Brien) are always blocking for each other, helping each other out. Coach does teach us perseverance and we just wanted to push through, chip away at their defense.”

The Hawks were patient dealing with the Wolverine defense. Their biggest play offensively was only 21 yards. They just kept plugging along.

Both Draeger and Schroeder made sure to praise the offensive line for shoving Rosemont back Friday night. Schroeder said the unit struggled last week against El Dorado. They made adjustments during practice this week and that hard work delivered, as all five touchdowns came from the run game, with Draeger getting four and fellow running back O’Brien getting the fifth.

The line was led by center Brody Budesilich, alongside linemen Cameron Monette, Eduardo Mendoza, Erik Salas, Johnny Sigala, and big tight end Cody Smith.

Schroeder also praised his defense and his coordinator, Kevin Tibbetts.

Of course, Schroeder was weary of excessive celebration. The season is long from over. He said the Hawks definitely want to improve the passing game. They went to air only seven times during Friday night’s game. Schroeder plans to work on that.

The Hawks scored three of their five touchdowns in the first half, leading the Wolverines 21-0 at the end of the second quarter.

Next week, Liberty Ranch visits 5-1 Bradshaw Christian in a showdown that will likely decide the conference title.

For Rosemont, the loss dropped them to 5-2. Technically, they were the hosts of Friday night’s game, as they cannot play at their home field. The turf at Rosemont was damaged by a mower and the game had to be moved. As they work to fix the turf, they will continue to play their home games at other schools.

Rosemont scored two touchdowns in the loss as well as converted a pair of two-point conversions. The first touchdown came in the third quarter with a three-yard rush by Finis McDaniel Jr. Quarterback Joseph Ortiz had a 39-yard touchdown pass to receiver Victor Noble for a consolation touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Coach John Straw is high on this team, particularly running back Michael Cherry. Straw called Cherry “one of those players you get once every 10 years”. He says he gets to practice early and leaves late, in the mold of Kobe Bryant.

Rosemont heads to 3-2 Union Mine next Friday.