PEORIA, AZ (AZFamily) \u2014 The Liberty High School boys soccer team will play for a state championship Saturday night \u2014 the first time in school history the program has reached the final \u2014 and players say they are competing for more than a title.<\/p>\n
Head coach Tyler Hussey stepped away from the sideline this season to focus on cancer treatment, leaving interim coach Paul Barron to lead the Lions to the state final against San Luis High School.<\/p>\n
\u2018Playing for Hussey\u2019<\/p>\n
Barron hasn\u2019t been with the soccer team long.<\/p>\n
\u201cA couple of years, been the assistant coach under Tyler Hussey. Just took over the role as an interim, just as Tyler is going through his battles,\u201d Barron said.<\/p>\n
Hussey was diagnosed with cancer four years ago. This season, due to treatments, he stepped away from coaching to focus on his health.<\/p>\n
Senior Caleb Anderson said the team has drawn motivation from their head coach\u2019s fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo especially this season, we\u2019ve been playing for Hussey,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cSo putting that smile on his face while he\u2019s fighting just always makes us want to fight harder for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Road to the final<\/p>\n
The Lions\u2019 path to the championship was not without difficulty. In their most recent playoff game, Liberty trailed 2-0 with nine minutes remaining.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it was a little bit of a wake-up call, but I think just through adversity and just putting in the work, putting our bodies on line,\u201d Anderson said.<\/p>\n
Junior Logan Barron said the team is focused on making history.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I mean, first time in school history, so go make history,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Hussey\u2019s message<\/p>\n
Though Hussey has not been on the sideline, his presence has remained with the team. Interim coach Barron recounted a conversation with Hussey about the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe goes, \u2018I just need to step down because I\u2019m in the way of this team.\u2019 And I said, \u2018in the way of this team?\u2019 He said, \u2018the team is as strong as they are. It\u2019s because of you,\u2019\u201d Barron said.<\/p>\n
Hussey also delivered a message directly to his players ahead of the championship.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, I am so proud of what you guys have accomplished this year,\u201d Hussey said. \u201cAnd I think tomorrow you\u2019re going to put it all on the field, for each other, and just keep fighting. What you guys do on the pitch gives me strength every day to keep fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the team\u2019s final practice Friday, interim coach Barron reminded players of their motivation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd who are we competing for? Hussey. That\u2019s it, yeah? That\u2019s the guy, yeah? That\u2019s the strength we get from it, OK? Those same kind of, the things he\u2019s gone through, the battles he does, he never quits. We never quit, yeah?\u201d Barron said.<\/p>\n
Game details<\/p>\n
The Liberty Lions will face San Luis High School at 7 p.m. Saturday at Mesa High School. A send-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Liberty High School. The team said Hussey is expected to attend Saturday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
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