Liberty to play in prestigious Sollenberger Classic

The Liberty football team upgraded its schedule in 2012. The Patriots will play an even tougher schedule this season.

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association confirmed Monday that Liberty will meet Salpointe Catholic (Ariz.) in the season-opening Sollenberger Classic at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 at Bishop Gorman.

“We’re really excited to be able to represent Nevada in a great game,” Liberty coach Rich Muraco said. “I think it says something about our program, where we’ve come from and where we are now, for them to ask us to play. It’s a big honor, and we’re looking forward to it.”

The Sollenberger Classic pits top teams from Nevada and Arizona. The event will be played in Nevada for the second time in its eight-year history after the NIAA’s Board of Control approved the location during its board meeting Monday.

Gorman will host Mountain Pointe (Ariz.) at 7 p.m. on Aug. 23.

Liberty, which opened the 2012 season against Crespi (Calif.), advanced to the NIAA Division I state title game before losing to Gorman, 63-10.

Salpointe Catholic, located in Tucson, Ariz., finished 12-2 last season and reached the Arizona Interscholastic Association Division II semifinals.

Salpointe Catholic played Crespi a week before Liberty did last season, so Muraco said his team has seen film of the Lancers.

“We’re trying to take our program to another level, to compete with Gorman really,” Muraco said. “This gives us another opportunity to play a great school. Obviously, we know it will be a very difficult game.”

Desert Vista (Ariz.) defeated Palo Verde 20-10, and Blue Ridge (Ariz.) topped Moapa Valley 23-14 in last fall’s games.