Olentangy Liberty survived two fumbles deep in its own territory and held off rival Olentangy 17-14 on Friday, Sept. 18, at Liberty's home field in Powell.

The Patriots built a 17-7 halftime lead, then leaned on their defense to close out the non-league finale. Griffin Gardner intercepted a Braves pass with 1:46 left to seal it.

Olentangy struck first. Brandon Pedigo scooped up a Liberty fumble on the opening drive and returned it to the Patriot 12-yard line. Will Gray powered to the two, and Tommy Hartings scored from a yard out with 7:57 left in the first quarter.

Liberty answered quickly. Quarterback Alex Leonard connected with Carter Nelson for a 13-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 with 2:05 still remaining in the first.

Evan Fowler's 31-yard field goal with 5:39 left before halftime put the Patriots ahead 10-7. The drive stayed alive thanks to an Olentangy unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and an offside call on fourth-and-three.

The Patriots stretched the lead before the break. Linebacker Carter Cole intercepted Hartings with 2:20 left in the half and returned it near midfield. A 50-yard pass to Kaidan Schmelmer set up Grayson Davis's eight-yard touchdown run, making it 17-7 at halftime.

The second half belonged to the defenses. Liberty drove inside the Olentangy 10 early in the third quarter on a 50-yard catch and run by Cooper Wagner, but Michael Marcus recovered a Patriot fumble in the end zone to kill the threat.

Olentangy's response stalled when a muffed snap on a 19-yard field goal attempt ended a long drive on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Hartings found Robert Page alone in the back of the end zone for a three-yard touchdown with 4:38 left, cutting the deficit to 17-14. Will Rose sacked Leonard on the next possession, but Gardner picked off a Braves pass to end the comeback bid.

Head coach John Sansbury, entering his fourth year leading the program, told the Delaware Gazette in August that his team embraces a demanding schedule. "We have to bring our best every week," he said.

The Delaware Gazette reported that the game closed out Liberty's non-league slate, which also included matchups against St. Edward, Glenville, Gahanna Lincoln and Olentangy Berlin. Liberty lost to Gahanna Lincoln 14-13 in overtime on Sept. 4.

Davis, the Columbia-bound senior running back, and Leonard, whose older brother Andrew led Liberty to the 2024 Division I state championship, are both seniors anchoring the roster.

Liberty hosts Dublin Coffman on Friday, Sept. 25, to open Ohio Capital Conference play. Olentangy Berlin also won in Week 5, beating Westerville Central 24-14, while Olentangy Orange fell to Pickerington North 51-7.