Basha defeats Liberty in Arizona high school football Open semifinals: Live score recap

The No. 2 Basha Bears (11-1) defeated the No. 3 Liberty Lions (10-2) 19-16 in the AIA open semifinals on Saturday at Corona del Sol High School.

The Bears goal-line stand sends them to the championship game. Late in the fourth quarter, the Lions had multiple chances to score from within the 1-yard line, but Basha's defense forced a fumble on fourth-and-goal.

The Bears offense then drove into field goal range, and kicker Mikey Barth hit a 38-yard field goal to take the lead with two minutes remaining.

Both offenses struggled throughout the game, and each team scored a safety. In the third quarter,
Basha wide receiver Jaden Baldwin broke out for two touchdowns.

Basha will play No. 4 Chandler on the championship on December 6 at Mountain America Stadium.

Players to Watch

Basha

Noah Roberts, Jr., RB - 4-star uncommitted
Jake Hildebrand, Jr., OT - 4-star uncommitted
Mason Lewis, Sr., DB - 3-star committed to Vanderbilt

Liberty

Hudson Dunn, Sr., LB - 3-star committed to Minnesota
Paz St. John, Sr., DL - 3-star committed to Boise State
TJ Fo'ilefutu, Sr., ATH - 3-star committed to Hawaii

Basha defeats Liberty in Arizona high school football Open semifinals: Live score recap - November 29, 2025

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First Quarter Updates

Liberty will start the game and its opening drive at the 20-yard line.

The Lions only gain three yards on their opening drive. Liberty's punter can barely grab a bad snap, and he rushes a punt, and it only travels 6 yards. The Bears will start their first drive at the Lions 30-yard line.

FUMBLE BY BASHA! Liberty recovers a fumble by the Basha quarterback during a scramble. Liberty will start a drive in its own territory.

Liberty can't convert on third and-6, so the Lions punt. Basha will have the ball at its 20-yard line - 5:26 1Q

Basha can't go far and punt, so the Lions will start at their own 44-yard line - 4:45 1Q

Liberty can't convert on fourth and-7. Basha will have the ball at its 32-yard line - 1:28 1Q

END OF FIRST QUARTER: Liberty 0, Basha 0

Second Quarter Updates

SAFETY BY BASHA! Basha's Kaedyn Smith blocks a Liberty punt for the Bears. He flew off the line of scrimmage and blocked the punt - Basha 2, Liberty 0 - 8:39 2Q

FUMBLE BY BASHA! Basha quarterback Brodie Vehrs fumbles the handoff, and Cannon Garday recovers it for the Lions. The Bears were in the middle of a promising drive just outside the Liberty red zone - 2:34 2Q

TOUCHDOWN LIBERTY! Braxton Huynh makes a 25-yard touchdown catch on a screen play just before halftime for the Lions - Liberty 7, Basha 2 - 0:33 2Q

INTERCEPTION BY LIBERTY! Eli Ruterman intercepts Vehrs pass, and the Lions will have the ball at the 41-yard line with 20 seconds remaining.

HALFTIME: Liberty 7, Basha 2

Third Quarter Updates

Basha receives the second half kickoff, and the game is back underway.

SAFETY BY LIBERTY! The Lions force a safety, and they have a 9-2 lead - 9:02 3Q

TOUCHDOWN BASHA! Jaden Baldwin catches a pass and takes it all the way for a touchdown - Liberty 9, Basha 9 - 7:19 3Q

Basha forces a stop, and the Bears will get the ball back on their 21-yard line - 5:51 3Q

TOUCHDOWN LIBERTY! Zeth Thues intercepts Vehr's pass and returns it for a touchdown. That his fifth interception of the game - Liberty 16, Basha 9 - 5:02 3Q

TOUCHDOWN BASHA! Baldwin catches a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jake Rogers to end if the third quarter - Liberty 16, Basha 16

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Liberty 16, Basha 16

Fourth Quarter Updates

FUMBLE BY LIBERTY! Lions quarterback Brayden Stevens fumbles on 4th-and-goal, and Eli Cramer-Cronin recovered. The Bears defense stopped multiple plays at the goal line - Liberty 16, Basha 16 - 5:55 4Q

Basha gets a touchdown wiped off the board for an illegal man downfield penalty. Rogers then ran for a first down on third and-10. The Bears are on the Lions 19-yard line - 2:30 4Q

FIELD GOAL BASHA! Mikey Barth hits a 38-yard field goal - Basha 19, Liberty 16 - 2:09 4Q

Basha gets pressure on Stevens, and he can't complete a pass on fourth down, so the Bears just have to kneel to end the game.

FINAL: Basha 19, Liberty 16

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