Liberty advances to title game

Liberty's undefeated Lancers again advanced to the state 2B title game with a 21-16 win over Asotin Saturday in the state semi round at Gonzaga Prep. Liberty's James Herr carried the ball 33 times for 196 yards against the Panthers.

The Lancers, who were in the title game last year, will play Kalama at 4 p.m. in the Tacoma Dome on Saturday.

Kalama advanced on a 20-13 win over Napavine in Saturday's other 2B semifinal.

Liberty last year advanced all the way to the title game and lost to Napavine 34-16 to finish second in the state. The Lancers graduated a lot of seniors in 2016, but surprised league foes as they began to pick up traction in this year’s NE fall season.

Liberty crushed Lyle Wishram 57-14 in the first playoff round and then downed DeSales 51-7 in the quarter-final round.

Asotin, which went into the state playoffs after a rugged win over Colfax in the crossover round, topped Tri-Cities Prep 31-14 in the first round, and jolted Davenport 27-12 in the quarter-final.