The Liberty (Bealeton) football squad rang in the year with its announcement of a new head coach, as Travis Buzzo will take over the reins of the Eagles program.Last year, under Sean Finnerty, Liberty finished 5-5 as a Region 4C team. Although the record was its second non-winning season of the past three, the Eagles went 9-3 in 2017, and have enjoyed a 162-65 (.672) record over the past 20 seasons, which included a 34-17 loss to Salem in the 2014 Class 4 state semifinal.
Buzzo, 25, may be the youngest head coach in the Northern region, but his familiarity with the Liberty program is unquestioned. Buzzo played his prep ball for the Eagles from 2018-11, before earning a football scholarship to Central Connecticut State University of the Northeast Conference (NEC), where he played all four years with the Blue Devils.
Upon graduation, Buzzo, whose father Tommy was the coach at Brooke Point, before accepting a coaching position with Curt Newsome at Emory & Henry College, returned to Fauquier County, and Liberty High, this time as the running backs/outside linebacker coach for the 2016 season. The next year, he was elevated to defensive coordinator and led a corps that allowed just 13.5 points per game the following year.
Buzzo is busy making final adjustments, but has a good idea as to how his team will play on both sides of the ball.
“On offense, we will be a spread run-heavy team that has to establish a running game,” said Buzzo, The Eagles averaged 33.6 points per game in 2017, but dipped to 25.3 last season. “On defense, we are going to load the box to stop the run, and force an offense to beat us over the top in the air.”
Buzzo’s cupboard will not be empty. “We have some key returners, such as Justin Lawson (first team all-region athlete), Fred Harris (second team all-region LB), sophomore Jordan Woodson (second team all-region DL), and a healthy Tre’Von White who would have similar accolades if it wasn’t for an injury, and too many others to name.”
For now, the new head whistle is ripe with enthusiasm. “Our off-season training is underway and about to be at full tilt here in the next couple of weeks.”
