When the Liberty offensive huddle breaks, it is virtually impossible to miss the imposing figure wearing the number 70.
That football jersey belongs to junior right guard Connor Acord.
Standing 6-foot tall and checking in at 275 pounds, Acord and his mates will be a huge key to success in 2024 for the young men from Glen Daniel.
The mere talk of success is a welcome conversation for the Raiders who have struggled the last two years with back-to-back 2-8 campaigns.
Following a playoff run in 2021, Liberty was hit hard by graduation and transfers, forcing it to play several young and inexperienced players the last two seasons.
The players that have battled through the lean years are now bigger, stronger, faster and are flanked by a solid freshman group to back them up.
“This team has a lot of potential,” Acord said. “I think we have a very winnable schedule and we feel like we can see ourselves in the playoffs.”
While Workman is looking at the season more on a week by week basis, he understands the success for his team will come in large part from the young men up front, led by his big right guard.
“Connor has started since his freshman year. As a freshman, he was better that any kid we had out here and played,” Workman said. “He works hard and has been in the weight room all spring and he wrestles. He is a go-getter and a hard worker.”
Acord admitted the growing process was no cake walk by any means, but he is excited to see the results.
“It has not been easy. You get back what you put in. You just have to put in the work,” Acord said. “I definitely have gotten stronger, smarter and I have improved my vision and my technique.”
While brute force is a big part of the formula for success in the trenches, Workman talked about another key that makes Acord one of the top lineman in the state.
“All kids will grow and mature. One of his biggest qualities is he is smart. Connor has really picked up our offense and it is really starting to come on,” Workman said. “He knows it like the back of his hand and can direct the other young guys. We will probably have some guys that may not be totally sure at times. Connor will be the guy they will look too.”
Acord, who makes all of the line calls, is also smart enough to know that if the line does not clear their defenders, they will likely have a train running up their backs.
“When we are downhill running, I tell my running backs if there is not a hole, make it there,” Workman said. “Jaxson is about 225 pounds right now and he will climb right up in them.”
Jaxson is the coach’s son and will be the starting quarterback as a freshman, giving Liberty a strong dual threat option.
“It doesn’t feel good with that face-mask going in your back,” Acord said. “It a little more inspiration to get your blocks. My job is to protect the quarterback at all cost and don’t allow pressure. Don’t let my man get in the backfield and don’t let blitzing linebackers get through.”
While the younger Workman can attack defenses effectively with his arm, the Raiders will rely heavily on their potent run game.
Making the running success happen along with Acord will be sophomore center Logan Ellis, senior left guard Antonio Bartoli and two sophomore tackles, Walker Smith and Ian Jenkins.
“It takes the wind out people running the ball, but we can’t be a one-headed monster. We have to be two. They both work hand in hand,” Workman said. “A good passing game empties the box and we can run the ball. If we run the ball well, they pack the box and now we throw it.”
Acord’s development has also sparked some attention from schools at the next level as well.
“He has been going to camps this summer. We have also done some 7-on-7 work and some Big Man challenges,” Workman said. “The ceiling for him is as high as he wants to take it. I tell my line every day that we are only going to go as far as they are going to take us.”
Liberty hosts Poca Friday night in the season opener.
