Liberty Center Fans Demand Answers After Another Undefeated Season
Bored Liberty Center fans hold an “ANOTHER WIN. GREAT.” sign beside a scoreboard showing a 42–10 win over Archbold.
LIBERTY CENTER, Ohio — A weary Liberty Center fan base was left searching for answers Friday night after another predictable performance by the Tigers gave supporters little reason to remain interested in the fourth quarter.
The latest disappointment, a 42-10 victory over previously unbeaten Archbold, secured Liberty Center’s fifth straight Northwest Ohio Athletic League title and undefeated regular season.
“This is getting really old. It’s the same thing week in and week out,” said longtime fan Doug Hanley. “Every August, you tell yourself this year might be different. Then October comes around, and here we are.”
Friday’s matchup had offered a brief reason for optimism. Archbold entered undefeated, and Liberty Center’s 21-10 halftime lead raised hopes that fans might finally have to pay attention for an entire football game.
Then Ethan Gray returned the second-half kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. On the Tigers’ first offensive snap of the half, Garrison Kruse broke free for a 78-yard score.
Just like that, fans were going through it all over again.
“Even the games that are supposed to be close turn out to be a blowout,” Hanley said. “It’s not even fun anymore. I told my wife this was a big game and not to wait up. I was home in time to help fold laundry.”
Other supporters questioned whether the program was delivering adequate value at the gate.
“I don’t feel like I’m getting my money’s worth,” said season-ticket holder Denise Baxter. “Most games move to a continuous clock by the second half because we’re winning by so much.”
“I’ve basically got season tickets to the first half.”
The Tigers averaged 52.7 points per game while allowing just 7.4 this season. Their last regular-season loss came in 2021, leaving fans increasingly skeptical of assurances that the next opponent would provide a real test.
“They keep saying, ‘This team will give us a game,’” Baxter said. “At some point, you stop believing.”
Head coach Casey Mohler offered little reassurance to those hoping for a change, praising the seniors for raising the program’s standard and bringing the underclassmen along with them.
“So the younger kids are good, too,” Hanley said. “Great. There goes next year.”
Despite the frustration, supporters said they would return for the playoffs, resigned to the possibility that the season could drag on all the way to another state championship.
In the meantime, some have turned to the Cleveland Browns for relief.
“The Browns may let you down,” Hanley said. “But at least they give you your whole afternoon.”