That’s a keeper: Nacua helps Liberty bolt to Sunrise title

The play call was an option, and Liberty's Kai Nacua was ready to pitch the football to Niko Kapeli.

But the junior quarterback saw an opening in Foothill's defense with his team clinging to a three-point lead in the fourth quarter. Good eye.

Nacua ripped off a 76-yard run, and three plays later, Kapeli plunged for a 1-yard touchdown with 6:38 left to put the Patriots ahead by 10. Liberty held on for a tense 37-35 victory over visiting Foothill in the Sunrise Region championship Friday night.

"I thought I was going to have to pitch it to Niko," Nacua said. "I saw the giant hole, and I was like, 'Oh, my gosh,' and I just sprinted."

Nacua sprinted Liberty (11-1) to its second consecutive Sunrise title. The Patriots will meet Sunset champion Bishop Gorman (14-1) in a Class 4A state semifinal at Rancho at 1 p.m. next Saturday.

"It's something that as a coach, when I took over, I wanted our program to be one like Las Vegas and Palo Verde and Del Sol, and be a contender every year," Patriots coach Rich Muraco said. "It's a great feeling to know how hard these kids have worked, that the last two years have paid off with regional championships."

Liberty is glad to have this year's state semifinal in Southern Nevada after losing 7-6 to McQueen in the semifinals last year during a snowstorm in Reno.

"It's going to be a little bit warmer than up in Reno," Nacua said with a smile.

Foothill (9-3) had stolen the momentum when Tyler Morris made a leaping 21-yard touchdown catch above two defenders on a pass from sophomore Drew Doxtator, and Kyle Keplinger ran for a 2-point conversion to bring the Falcons within 30-27 with 8:34 remaining.

But Nacua's 76-yard run on the ensuing possession set up Kapeli's TD run to give the Patriots a valuable cushion.

Doxtator fired a 30-yard TD pass to Keplinger and Andre Gonzalez hit Tate Warr for the 2-point conversion to get Foothill within 37-35 with 3:29 left.

But Liberty was able to run out the clock, as Nacua ran for 2 yards on fourth-and-inches with 26 seconds to play.

Nacua rushed for 172 yards on 11 carries, including a 65-yard touchdown down the left sideline in the second quarter. Austin Fitzgerald's point-after kick put the Patriots ahead 14-13, and they stayed out front the rest of the way after trailing 13-0.

Usually a short-yardage specialist and blocking back, Liberty senior Jordan Kapeli made his presence felt with 137 yards on 15 carries. The 235-pound fullback rumbled up the middle for a 61-yard touchdown to get the Patriots on the scoreboard late in the first quarter.

"He's a beast. He's probably our best player," Muraco said of Jordan Kapeli. "He's so hard to handle. By the fourth quarter, kids don't want to hit him any more. Giving him the ball kind of rewards him, and he did a great job."

Niko Kapeli, the area's leading rusher, added 60 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Nacua completed 5 of 11 passes for 109 yards, including a 35-yard TD strike to tight end Dakota Mayer.

Doxtator went 19-for-38 for 263 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. He hooked up with Morris three times for 80 yards and two scores, and Keplinger caught eight passes for 92 yards and a score. Brandon Wiltz ran for 83 yards on 16 carries and had a 35-yard reception for Foothill.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at 702-387-5203 or taird@reviewjournal.com.