Every parking spot by Liberty high school, wrapping around to the front of EJ Blott and WS Guy on Shady Road seemed to be occupied, as the fans of two vibrant communities gathered for the return of their rivalry.

Girard had their own plans, dominating in a 27-13 road victory, after a plethora of miscues and timely playmaking by the Indians spelled doom for the Leopards.

“This game, this atmosphere, these fans, the communities on both sides, the way both teams played just shows how special of a game it is, why it’s that special,” said Girard coach Pat Pearson. “I think that coach (Joe Simon) did a good job at Liberty teaching their guys about the history and we did a good job teaching our guys.

“We just picked up where we left off, it was a great hard-fought game by both teams. I’m proud of our guys and how we stayed as a family and fought tonight.”

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Girard senior Chad McCrae chugs ahead during the first half at Liberty.

Girard found the scoreboard first as junior QB Triston Valley dumped off a short 6-yard pass to Dominic Malito, for an early 7-0 lead, and the beginning of a huge night for the 6-foot-1 200-pound senior receiver.

Malito was a freshman the last time the Battle of Belmont was held, after open-enrollment disputes nixed the game the past two seasons.

Showing that everything does indeed come full circle, Friday night’s win bore a resemblance to a 42-12 victory Girard had over their rival three seasons ago — a game that Malito was in the stands for during a year away from football after playing the game since seventh grade.

“When I took that year off, I just rethought everything and just said that I need to get back on the field with my teammates,” Maltio said. “It’s definitely a dream come true, this was definitely a big game circled on our calendar this year.”

Malito found paydirt twice more, from both 8 and 5-yards out on a pitch and a reverse, tallying 74 all-purpose yards between the passing and rushing attack.

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Girard senior Dominic Malito reacts following a short touchdown during the third quarter, his second of the night.

Penalties played a massive factor within the contest, with both teams compiling a total of 118 yards.

Following a 30-12 win over Western Reserve last Friday in his coaching debut, it’s a reality check for coach Joe Simon, who looks to rebound following his first career loss.

“It was a battle like I expected it to be, we needed to execute in the red zone, those first couple drives in the first quarter, we need to put points on the board. It’s a completely different game,” Simon said. “We weren’t able to finish off those drives, there were a lot of opportunities that we just didn’t cash in on.”

“That’s the frustrating part for me is that the opportunity was there, the chance was there, the game was kinda there for the taking, and we didn’t really take it.”

Valley showed his ability to manage the game Friday evening, posting 154 yards through the air and 57 rushing yards. It’s his first career win under center.

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Liberty senior Devinn Ruffin (left) reacts as he scores on a three-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter versus Girard.

“You always got to find the weakness in the defense, and I think we did that pretty well tonight,” Valley said. “Outside zones, the smashes, all the above, we found the weakness and that is what gives us victory.

“The fact that we can throw the ball, all the great receivers that we have, we have so many weapons that we can do anything with on the offense, setting up, throwing, and running the ball, we can do that all day.”

Girard sophomore Kyle Bourlier led his team with 88 yards rushing on 11 carries, senior Chad McCrae following behind with 77 yards on 16 touches.

Liberty senior Donte Venters led the Leopards (1-1) with a game-high 108 yards rushing on 17 carries and fellow senior Devinn Ruffin posted 75 yards, along with a 1-yard touchdown run.

When the clock reached zero, after hands were shaken and each team went their own way, the Indians (1-1) made a quick dash to the area in front of their students and marching band.

It’s the thrill of victory over your rival.

“Our thing is that we kinda wanted to make this our home, and that’s just how we were,” Malito said. “I believe we did.”

It’s also the agony of defeat that hangs over the Leopards, something that Simon doesn’t want his team to quickly forget.

“The feeling of hearing the other team celebrate, hearing their band play the fight song, like the coaches were trying to get them into the locker room,” Simon said. “I said no, I want them to take this in, and remember it because this is going to be motivation when you don’t want to run that extra sprint, when you don’t want to wake up for practice, when you don’t want to do what you’re supposed to be doing.

“These moments will fuel you, it’ll drive you nuts, but it will drive you.”