Making Believers Out Of Everybody

he Flames football season opened intheFall of'78with

|u= = J arealchange ofpace forthe 87-man squad With cheering fans and teary-eyed girlfriends waving goodbye, the team took offfrom Lynchburg Airport in high style aboard a chartered flight to Dayton, Ohio LBC was in the big time playing nationally-ranked University of Dayton.

Although playing against an increasingly tough schedule with a relatively young team (only 4 seniors), the team gained momentum as the season progressed losing only twice in their last seven outings with excellent showings against perennial powers

With his blockers clearing the way, Timmy Saunders does some fancy stepping to gain valuable yards for the Flames

With third down and inches,the Flames "Jericho" defense charges in to force a punt on fourth down

The team got off on a winning foot slipping by a determined Bowie State defense 14-13. Charged up with this first victory,the players undertook a huge assignment in tackling GardnerWebb who had dealt LBC several strong setbacks in the past few years Surprised by the Flames enthusiasm and strong will,the Bulldogs found that they just couldn't get a jump on the Flames and finally settled for a 20-20 tie

Two games later,Roanoke's Victory Stadium provided the setting as the Flames were avenged of last year's defeat by Bridgewater This time the Eagles found the Flames too hot to handleastheywere burned 21-13 The nextweek it was two inarow for LBC as the offense exploded for 5 touchdowns enroute to a 34-28 victory over St Paul's

Then the Flames faced another formidable foe in Lenoir-Rhyne. Everyone knew they were tough They had earned ita year earlier in North Carolina as the Flames were soundly defeated 53-0 This time,however, nobody mentioned the word "lose" as the determined foot- ball team took the field People that had wondered ifLiberty's football program was really getting stronger were giveneye-witnessfacts asthey watched the Flames knock heads with a strong adversary When time ran out on the clock, theFlameshad notwon, butthe pointspread was not53 asbefore, just a mere 12 pointsdifference, 28-16.The Flames were making believers out of everybody.

But the season stillhad one more game — Ferrum College Here was a team that had successfully handled LBC for four straight years, shutting them out in their last encounter. Then again,they were a consistent nationally-ranked team going into this game withatremendous record. Butfor LBC itwas Homecoming, and a recordbreaking crowd had filled the stadium hungry foraseason-ending victoryover the Panthers The team's momentum had been increasing allseason with experience rating a strong influence on the players The team had gained respect with the fans and excitment filled the air.Itwas like electricity. Someone wasoverheard saying, "Ifyou'd strikea match, this place would explode!"

And explode itdid! With the huge crowd in a frenzied uproar the Flames wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard. Time and timeagainthe officials pointed theirhandstotheskyasaseason high of 6 touchdowns were scored. The Flames had finally defeated Ferrum with a convincing 42-28 score.

There were reasonsforthemuch improved 1978 football team There was a strong team effort — dedication in practiceand determination onthefield But there were also some definite stand-outs on the team. Churchman's Ail-American recognized Rupert Wright, offensive guard, the first LBC player in history to named to thefirst team Other stand-outs were Greg Mosely,BestOffensiveBack; Rod Gladfelter,Best Defensive Back; Ed Landis, Best Defensive Lineman; Steve Kearns, BestReceiver; and Dave Anderson won the Coca-Cola Golden Helmet Award

But what isa team without coaches? These men provide the leadership and discipline and training necessary for winning Then there isone man who holds the highest position of responsibility — the Head Coach Churchman's All-American awarded LBC's Head Coach Tom Dowling as Small CollegeCoach ofthe Year for his "progress in building a strong football power at Liberty." He and the team made believers out of everybody.

David Moore and David Aycock burst through the hoop with a mass of players behind them

Quarterback Steve Patterson calls the signals from the two-yard line as the Flames get ready for another touchdown

LBC FOOTBALL TEAM: (front row) Alvin Irving David Keith, Mike Landes, Lee Donell Pervis Thomas, Chuck Benedick, Steve Jones, Kim Raynor, Chris Patterson, Johnny Sheppard, Vernon Williams, Randy Peoples, Rick Linaburg, Ted Shannon, Mickey Stockwell, Paul Jones, Mark Neenan, Jeff Wolff, Lamont Ward, Donnie Revel!, (second row) Robert Guetterman, Rod Dalton, Glenn Inverso, Mark Phillips, Rod Gladfelter, John Sanders, Rusty Radcliff, Steve Patterson, David Moore, Joseph Mendes, David Anderson, Roy Marshall Roger Mackey, Marty Martin, Richard Osborne, David Bradley, Roy Jones, Reggie Williams, Steve Reynolds, Scott Umberger, David Brown, (third row) Donald Garrison Davis McDonald, Mike Wade, Billy Morris, Earston Hewitt, David Aycock William Williams, Ed Landis, Steve Kearns, Doug Frankum, Rick Crider, Hugh Hess, William Gillespie, Jerome Ebhard, David Glaze, Bradley Clark, David Hertzler, Joel Chastain, David Chase, Lee Wix, Tim Thomas, Fred Rose, (back row) Barry Jude, Greg Mosley, David Fisher Rick Lane, Curtis Carlson, Chris Johnston, Jim Billups, Dale Clark, James Glass, Jeffrey Wilson, Jimmy Rowe, Danny Carlock, Hank Willis, Jeff Reeves, Timmy Saunders, Rick Pilcher, Jerry Grundy, Tim Keasler, Kerrick Chappie, Rupert Wright, Randall Owens, Ron Blackmon, Bruce Stewart, Victor King ikemany oftheathleticteams at LBC this year,soccer also claimed their most successful season intheir short history offour years Coach Ed Dobson's experience at thehelm began toreally pay big dividends ashe,along with assistant coach Ray Locy, ledtheteam toa record of 10-4-1.

The 22-man squad, made up of many new players,jumped off toanexplosive beginning with seven straight victories before dropping a hardfought contest toinspired intra-state rival Eastern Mennonite Thewinning streak washighlighted by capturing the first place trophy attheannual King College Tournament

According toCoach Dobson, two of the toughest wins ofthe season were over Warren Wilson, whom they slipped by 1-0,andSt Mary's, whom they held off 2-1.

The three seniors on the squad each received a special award for theirskill and effort. Jim Bateswas awarded Most Valuable Offensive Player,while the Most Valuable Defensive Player award went toPhil Kull Chuck Wemp, was named soccer's Most Valuable Player

Rod Delmonico, goalie, makes a diving save of a shot on thegoal

LBC Soccer Team: (front row) Ron Vining, Daryl Edwards, Randy Zook, Danny DeVilbiss Raymond Dieudonne Joseph Baraty, Steve Dunn, Jay Ross, {second row) Phil Kuht, John McCann, Steve Suders, Greg Bowman. John Moore, Rick Posey, Chuck Wemp, Peter Sprano Robert Hammond Coach Ed Dobson (back row) Coach Ray Locy, Luther Barnhart, Jim Bates Daniel Conway, Doug Barclay, Jimmy Glass, Sam Ackah, Rod Delmonico, Charles Boscaljon, Scolt Bonheim Alan Barclay, Jon Sprano