Two of Liberty’s defensive starters on its 2024 Open Division title team graduated and signed with Division I teams. That’s okay, since five of the Lions 2025 defensive starters committed to D1 schools before this season even started.
With that, a unit led by seniors Paz St. John (Boise State), Tyler Burnstein (Washington State), Hudson Dunn (Minnesota), Cannon Garday (NAU) and Zeth “Angel” Thues (ASU) have a chance to go down in Arizona high school football lore.
The Lions allowed just under 21 points a game last year. With those five starters back, joined by senior returning starting cornerbacks Ty’Vel Calloway and Eli Ruterman, the defense is challenging itself to break their opponents' will.
