Friday football notebook: Mountain View facing big test on the road against Liberty
September 13, 2024 by Ben Stapley, AZPreps365
Mountain View has scored 99 points in its first two games under new head coach Andy Litten.
Defending Open Champ Liberty hasn't allowed one.
Something's gotta give tonight.
The Toros will make the trip to Peoria to face the top-ranked Lions after wins over El Camino (CA) and Saguaro in week two.
Liberty shut down Desert Edge 23-0 in week one before a dominating 46-0 win over O'Connor last week.
This marks the first time the schools have played since 2019, when then coach Micah Fell led Mountain View to the 6A quarterfinals. That year also marked the last playoff victory for Mountain View. Liberty beat the Toros and went on to beat Red Mountain in the state title game.
The Lions have since evolved into a powerhouse, considered one of the best in the country.
"We've got our hands full tonight but we've also got a huge opportunity," Mountain View coach Andy Litten said.
"(Liberty) is loaded and very deep as gas far as numbers go. Zeth Thues is a monster in the secondary, but he's not the only one to worry about.
Thues may sound like a character from Greek Mythology, but the junior transfer from Saguaro helps make the Liberty defense go. With three sacks and 14 total tackles in the first two games, Thues is a huge part of what make the Lions go.
After losing quarterback Navi Bruzon and most of its offensive weaponry from last season, senior Hayden Fletcher has guided the Lions through itts first two games. His numbers are modest (315 yards, 2 TD's), but with the defense playing like it has, Liberty appears to be in good position make another run at the Open title.
For the Toros to pull off the upset, they will need need to play a near perfect game. Offesnively, everything moves around quarterback Brady Goodman. The 6-4 junior took over starting duties from graduated Jack Germaine this season, but he's hardly a novice with the program.
"Brady's been everything we expected," Litten said of the first year starter.
"He's got the arm and the legs, and he's been well coached."
@bradygoodman_5 to @porter_wilhelm and the Toros now lead it 14 to 7 3:00 mins 1Q pic.twitter.com/mFzihIdz7s
— Toro Nation (@MVToro_Football) September 7, 2024
Jack Germaine was a three year starter for Mountain View, but injuries thrust Goodman into starts a freshman, and he saw considerable action last season. Between former head coach and former NFL quarterback Joe Germaine, his own father Griffin, and now Litten, a proven QB guru, the offense is in good shape with Goodman. He's completed nearly 90% of his passes in the first two games for 380 yards. But he's also dangerous as a runner, giving the Toro offense an added dimension.
"Anytime a quarterback can run, it opens up alot," Litten said of Goodman.
But Liberty poses a whole different challenge for Mountain View. The Toros will need their 'A' game and then some if they're going to pull the upset.
"We want to be an Open playoff team," Litten added.
"In order for that to happen we have to beat the best of the best.