By Jordan Taylor, Sports731 Reporter
As the 2023 high school football season approaches, the Liberty Crusaders are gearing up for their opening game against Jackson Central Merry on Friday, August 18th at 7:00. Head coach Scott Akin, entering his fourth season with the Crusaders, has been working hard to address key areas of improvement and build a strong team for the upcoming season.
One of the main concerns for Coach Akin was the need for an experienced offensive coordinator. He hired Scott Blair, who has a proven track record of success in turning around struggling programs. Blair implemented the hybrid wing-t offense, which is expected to give Liberty the best chance for continued success on the offensive side of the ball.
Another area of focus for Coach Akin was to increase the number of players on the team. Just two years ago, the Crusaders had only 16 players, making it difficult to compete against the top programs in West Tennessee. Akin aimed to have at least 30 players to ensure a competitive roster. Despite many players being involved in other sports such as track and baseball, the turnout for spring workouts was promising, with around 30 players showing up consistently.
During spring practice, Coach Akin saw significant growth from the sophomore class, crediting them for bringing a spark to the team. Unfortunately, the planned scrimmage against Trinity Christian Academy couldn’t take place due to the Lions’ coaching and personnel changes. Nevertheless, Akin was pleased with the team’s performance during spring workouts and their progress against each other.
With summer approaching, Coach Akin was excited to have all his players together for June and July to prepare for the upcoming season. The number of players continued to grow, reaching around 35 in early June. Throughout June and into early July, Akin and his staff focused on implementing the new offense and teaching the players their expectations for each week.
Before the dead period, Coach Akin emphasized the importance of staying active and being ready for the upcoming season. The players responded well, impressing Akin with their conditioning and dedication during the break. As August approached, Akin expressed confidence in the team’s progress and their ability to adapt to the offensive changes.
In early August, the Crusaders had a preseason scrimmage against Humboldt, which Akin felt went well despite missing three two-way starters. He noted that many mistakes made were correctable and praised the team’s effort and attitude. Opting out of a jamboree to prioritize player health, Liberty now shifts its focus to the season opener against JCM.
Coach Akin and his staff are looking for continued growth from the players as they approach the first game of the season. The game will be broadcast live at 6:30 on JJ 97.7FM and video streamed on the Sports731Network (Sports731.com). With the team’s dedication and the implementation of the new offense, the Liberty Crusaders are ready to kick off the 2023 season with high hopes for success.
