Graham Beckman returns, Iowa City Liberty routs Clinton in regular-season finale

NORTH LIBERTY — Go ahead, let out a sigh of relief, Lightning fans.

Graham Beckman is back and ready for the playoffs.

A week after a dramatic, district-clinching, 29-28, victory over Burlington, the Lightning (8-1) followed up Friday at home with a much more convincing win.

With junior quarterback Beckman returning to the lineup, Liberty routed Clinton (2-7), 42-7, in its regular season finale.

Beckman left last week’s contest with a thigh bruise.

“It’s a little sore after the game, but during the game with all the adrenaline, especially with the temperatures warming up, it kind of goes all away,” Beckman said. “It kind of gets loose especially being on the bikes and warming it up before the game. If I don’t focus on it, it all goes away and I’m just out there to play.”

“His quad’s a little tight, but he’s getting through it,” said Liberty Coach James Harris. “If anyone’s going to be diligent with their treatment and preparation, it’s Graham.”

Beckman played strong, completing 14 of 18 passes for 269 yards and four touchdowns.

Liberty’s first drive started at Clinton’s 41. On six plays, the Lightning drove it to Clinton’s 2. Beckman had his only miscue, throwing an interception at the line of scrimmage.

After Liberty’s defense held, Beckman made up for the mistake by throwing a strike to Wyatt Williams for a 41-yard score.

Early in the second, Beckman took another shot downfield that resulted in a 31-yard touchdown to Lucas Meyer. His second TD toss gave the Lightning a 14-0 lead with 11 minutes left in the second.

“Honestly, he’s probably the best quarterback in the state,” Meyer said. “He just doesn’t miss passes.”

Five minutes later, Beckman connected with Christian Barney for a 13-yard score.

Just before half, the Lightning defense forced and recovered a Clinton fumble at the River Kings 48.

Beckman threw a 46-yard bullet to Garret Gregoire, setting up a Trey Gregoire 2-yard TD on the next play.

Liberty held a 28-0 lead at intermission.

Early in the third, Beckman again found Meyer open along the sideline. Meyer secured the catch and reversed sides of the field for a nifty 56-yard touchdown.

“I just caught the ball, beat him off the break, looked back and saw their whole defense was behind me,” Meyer said. “I was like, I have to turn on the jets and get going. I saw that I beat my man and I was gone.”

Following Meyer’s second score, Liberty led 35-0 with 11:06 left in third quarter. The Lightning opted to pull Beckman and insert last week’s hero, Cody Nichols, at quarterback.

Addison Binnie scored a touchdown from 8 yards out for Clinton late in the third.

Nichols scampered in from 33 yards out in the fourth to round out the scoring.

From a 3-6 record in 2021 to an 8-1 record thus far in 2022, Liberty turned its fortune.

“We have awesome kids who just bought in, trying to do big things and be the best version of themselves,” Harris said. “And I’m so blessed to have a coaching staff that is just exceptional.”

As the 4A District 3 champion (the first district football championship in school history), Liberty will host its first-round playoff game next Friday.

“Honestly, promise to God, we’re going all the way,” Meyer said.