Liberty Christian’s Bishop hoping to end prep career with state 1B title

Keegan Bishop admits he was a stocky little youngster when he first started playing football.

“I used to play on the offensive line and at tight end as a kid,” he said. “In seventh grade, I moved to quarterback.”

And that’s where the now senior at Liberty Christian School in Richland has stayed ever since.

“I love playing quarterback, and the feeling of control with it,” said Bishop. “I like the mental side of it. You can make an impact on everything.”

On Saturday, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Bishop hopes to lead his No. 3-ranked Patriots (9-0 overall) over long-time rival and No. 6-seed DeSales of Walla Walla (9-1) in the WIAA state 1B football quarterfinals.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m., Saturday, at Hanford High School.

Bishop’s coach, Craig Lukins, is a bit sad knowing that Bishop’s prep career is winding down — although hopefully not for another three weeks.

“We’ve sort of grown up together,” said Lukins. “When he was in seventh grade, I had him in strength training.”

It’s been an interesting four years at LC for Bishop.

As a freshman, he started two games at quarterback. His sophomore season involved the spring Covid season. Last year, as a junior, Bishop got hurt against DeSales and missed the second half of the season — a season marred by opponent cancellations and last-minute pick-ups of new opponents.

But this year? This year has been good.

“This season has been what he’s been waiting for,” Lukins said.

Bishop has had a great senior year, completing 99 of 181 passes for 2,251 yards and 40 touchdowns passes against just 3 interceptions.

He’s also rushed for 516 yards and scored 8 times with his legs.

Bishop does a good job distributing the ball.

His main targets are Sam Culver (29 catches-691 yards-9 TDs), Magnus Hayden (31-595-11) and Drew Ott (28-782-15).

But it all starts with Bishop.

“He’s a good quarterback,” said Lukins. “It’s his work ethic. If he’s not in the weight room, he’s grabbing a few guys and going outside throwing the football. He’s a real determined kid. He’d doesn’t like losing at anything. He’s the kind of kid that when we’re doing sprinting drills, he wants to be first.”

Bishop immerses himself in the sport.

“It’s all I think about during the season,” said Bishop, who has received a few NCAA Division-3 offers, as well as some from NAIA schools. “I just love going out and competing with a team I love. We have fun together. We battle together. Football is a sport where you’re playing with guys who are all different shapes and sizes.”

All of those different guys will have a rematch Saturday with the Irish, a team the Patriots beat a few weeks ago in that tremendous windstorm that affected the game plans of both squads.

“DeSales is a good team,” said Lukins. “We beat them 14-8 a few weeks ago. It was the night of the windstorm. Neither team could throw the football in the wind. So both teams loaded up in the box to stop the run. I’ve never played an 8-man game with a score of 14-8.”

Don’t expect a low scoring affair Saturday.

“Both teams are really explosive,” said Lukins.

Bishop agrees.

“We’re feeling good,” he said. “The whole team is pretty confident. Hopefully, with better weather, we can score more points.”

And it’s where the Patriots are supposed to be.

“This is a really good team. And we have fun together,” said Bishop. “I thought we’d be here. I wasn’t sure in August if everybody else was on board with us having a shot (at a title).”

(8) EMERALD RIDGE (9-2) at (1) CHIAWANA (10-0), 1 p.m., Saturday, Edgar Brown Stadium: Riverhawks head coach Scott Bond has seem the film of the Jaguars.

“They are big and athletic,” said Bond of the Puyallup school’s team. “They look pretty good. They throw a lot of (Run-Pass-Option) stuff off the run game. Their quarterback is pretty good.”

That QB is Jake Schakel, who has thrown for 2,515 passing yards and 31 touchdowns this season.

His top target is wide receiver Gio Kafentzis (82 catches, 952 yards, 11 TDs). If that last name sounds familiar, it should be. He’s the son of Mark Kafentzis, a Richland High School grad who played in the National Football League.

Another top target is WR Tony Harste (58-870-12). And RB Logan Lisherness leads the ground game with 546 yards rushing. Lisherness is also the Jaguars’ top defender at linebacker.

“This is the best team we’ve faced to this point this year,” said Bond.

Meanwhile, the Riverhawks will continue with their lethal 1-2 punch of DJ Duran and Ian Mohl.

Duran has compiled 1,542 passing yards and 23 TD passes this season.

Mohl, a senior, has 162 carries for 1,144 rushing yards, plus 16 TDs.

While he may look for balance, Bond admits the Riverhawks’ running game is key.

“We’ll keep running the ball, with those five senior offensive linemen,” he said.

Senior WR Marco Elizondo dislocated his kneecap last week against Sunnyside, and is done for the season.

Other quarterfinals

(6) Graham-Kapowsin vs. (3) Sumner, Sunset Chev Stadium, 7 p.m., Friday

(10) Gonzaga Prep at (2) Lake Stevens, 4 p.m., Saturday

(5) Skyline vs. (4) Kennedy Catholic, Highline Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m., Friday

(9) KENNEWICK (9-2) at (1) YELM (11-0), 1 p.m., Saturday: Lions head coach Randy Affholter might just feel more at home on the road than at Lampson anyway.

Last season, Kennewick beat O’Dea and Eastside Catholic in Seattle on consecutive playoff weekends. Last weekend, the Lions went back to Seattle and beat Rainier Beach 9-7 — making the Final 8 for the third straight year.

Now, they head to Yelm, and it won’t be easy.

“We’re going to need more offense than what we’ve gotten these last few weeks,” admitted Affholter. “But defensively, we have played well. This weekend, we will have our work cut out for us.”

Affholter said he’s sticking with Ambrose Driver over Andre Breedlove at quarterback.

“Andre’s shoulder is still not where it’s supposed to be,” he said. Breedlove will be able to play in the defensive secondary.

The Lions will depend on sophomore Alex Roberts, who has taken on a major role since about mid season and compiled 970 total yards of offense.

Defensively, Kennewick needs to find a way to contain Kyler Ronquillo, 1,241 total yards, 19 touchdowns), and quarterback Damian Aalona (1,862 passing yards, 24 TD passes).

One thing that can’t be measured is Kennewick’s confidence, which has been built with these road victories.

“We only have three seniors on offense,” said Affholter. “Our veterans are able to get our younger guys to settle down at the big moments. They say all of the right things. And I really believe this league (Mid-Columbia Conference) gets you up for the playoffs. These games can be physical.”

Jeff Morrow is former sports editor for the Tri-City Herald.