Flames notes

By Chris Lang
Sports writer
Published: September 6, 2008

Spencer Hodges and his father were driving down Timberlake Road last Sunday night when they saw the smoke. As they approached Heritage High School, Hodges noticed one motorcycle strewn across the roadway and another stuck in a ditch.

Instinct took over. The Hodges pulled over and Spencer, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman at Liberty, immediately dialed 911 on his cell phone once he realized that a man was trapped underneath the bike in the ditch. After alerting authorities, Spencer and his father, Ross Hodges climbed into the ditch and pulled the motorcycle off the man.

Spencer, who is 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, and Ross, who is 6-2, 280, each grabbed one end of the bike and lifted it away from the unconscious man and stayed with him until further help arrived.

“Obviously, if I was hurt, I’d want someone to do that for me,” Spencer said. “I think it was a reaction, just to help in any way possible.”

Spencer returned to Liberty football practice this week with a burn on his left arm, courtesy of the motorcycle’s muffler. Flames coach Danny Rocco was happy to hear Hodges played the role of good Samaritan.

“He was at the right place at the right time and certainly willing to get involved,” Rocco said.

Jacobs surges

Trey Jacobs was a bit player last season, a sophomore used in a reserve rotation at defensive end, and at times he played like it. Timid, reserved, afraid to make a mistake.

When Steve Ackley graduated after last season, Jacobs was penciled in as the starting left defensive end. He took the responsibility seriously, and came into his junior year confident and prepared.

Jacobs earned the team’s defensive MVP award for his play against North Greenville in the Aug. 30 opener. He continued his strong play Saturday night against Glenville State. Jacobs blocked a field goal and finished with five tackles and a sack. He also had a quarterback hurry.

“He’s playing more intense right now, and it’s probably because he’s more confident,” Rocco said. “Last year, he found himself in a lot of good positions but wasn’t always finishing the play. That’s something we’ve covered around here — being intense and being physical. I think he’s kind of bought into that. Now his athletic ability is allowing him to take over. We really expect him to have an outstanding season.”

Young hurt

A blocked extra point in the first quarter exacted a huge toll for the Flames.

After the kick was blocked, a Glenville State defender rolled into Liberty kicker Paul Young’s leg. He was helped off the field and later returned to the field in street clothes, walking with crutches. He wore a cast on his right leg.

“It’s an ankle or a shin,” Rocco said. “I don’t feel real good about it.”

Ben Shipps kicked extra points in Young’s absence. Matt Bevins, who handles kickoffs, hit his first career field goal in Young’s absence, connecting on a 38 yarder in the third quarter.

Extra points

Starting left guard Britt Stone injured his right leg, near where most high ankle sprains occur. He’ll undergo an X-ray either today or Monday. If he’s out for next week’s game at Western Carolina, Alex Stadler will likely start in his place. … Liberty finished with 11 tackles for loss and four sacks, a week after the Flames failed to register a sack against North Greenville. … Freshman Mike Brown scored his first career touchdown, running in from 45 yards out on a quarterback draw in the fourth quarter. He nearly had another touchdown earlier, when he caught a Brock Smith pass and ran 49 yards to the Glenville State 2.