Photo Credit: Riley McCabe/PrepsKC 
It's not often you see a starting quarterback line up as a return man on special teams. But Liberty's Christian Kutcha is a rare breed.
A senior signal caller for the Blue Jays, Kutcha is a skilled athlete built for extra duty, head coach Chad Frigon said.
"Christian is a multi-sport athlete that just competes at everything he does," Frigon said. "He can play a variety of positions for us."
Injuries precipitated Kutcha's move to punt returner. He accepted the assignment with no qualm. In short, the kid is fearless. And he showed his mettle against Blue Springs South in the Missouri Class 6, District 7 semifinal at Liberty.
"I don't like fair catches," Kutcha, a dual-threat quarterback, said. "I don't like sliding."
On Friday, in the Blue Jays' 42-28 win over Blue Springs South, Kutcha's all around play stood out. He made big plays with his arm and feet, accounting for two touchdowns against the Jaguars.
Running back Jaxon Hicks wasn't too shabby himself, rushing for three touchdowns and tossing another on a half-back option pass.
Liberty's Grady Coppinger was credited with two sacks.
With the win, the Blue Jays improved to 7-3 on the season. A date with cross-district rival Liberty North awaits. In other district semifinal action, the Eagles (9-1) mauled Blue Springs 71-31.
Next week, Liberty and Liberty North will play for a district title. The Blue Jays will be up for the challenge, Frigon said. The Eagles beat Liberty 31-7 in Week 2.
"We know it's going to take our best effort from us," he said.
Blue Springs South's season ends with just one victory in 10 games. This season, the Jaguars started between 10-12 freshmen and sophomores and took a few lumps. Inexperience aside, they did not look like a one-win team against Liberty. The future should be bright for the Jags.
"We were always right there but not enough to get it done," head coach Alan Wilmes said. "Our boys competed all year and I'm really proud of them."
Liberty started the game fast but couldn't get out of its own way. Blue Springs South stuck around but never seriously threatened the host Blue Jays.
Dominic Revels' 69-yard kickoff return to start the game kick-started Liberty's early barrage. The opening drive featured a big catch and run from Revels, a wide receiver, and a short touchdown run by Kutcha.
Liberty's Preston Franklin recovered a fumble that led to another score. Kutcha's 30-yard pass to Andrew Olson set up running back Jaxson Hicks' halfback option pass to tight end Jackson Froehlich for a touchdown.
The Blue Jays were up 14-0 in the second and rolling. But Blue Springs South fought back, using a fumble recovery and turnover on downs to stay in the game.
Quarterback Ayden Wilhelm, a talented sophomore passer with a live arm, found wide receiver Caysen Stevenson open for a long pass reception to push the Jaguars past midfield.
Running back Kendrick Hawkins Jr.'s 15-yard run helped set up a score. Wilhelm's 3-yard TD run cut Liberty's lead in half, but the Blue Jays struck back before halftime.
Liberty tight end Ace Bindel caught a slant pass from Kutcha and almost found pay dirt. A short TD run by Hicks pushed the lead to 21-7 Liberty heading into the break.
Blue Springs South wouldn't quit. Hawkins scored on the first possession of the second half and the Jags defense forced its second turnover on downs.
The Jaguars took over at their own 30-yard line with a chance to tie the game. A sack by Liberty's Coppinger, his second, made things difficult and South was forced to punt.
Kutcha then led the Blue Jays to another score. His 25-yard run to the 5 set up a rushing touchdown by Hicks to make the score 28-14 in favor of the host.
Not to be outdone by the play of his dynamic counterpart, Wilhelm went to work in the 4th quarter. Twice, he threw darts to Jaguar wide receivers Stevenson and Tyus Jackson, Jr.
Wilhem's 41-yard scoring strike to Jackson drew Blue Springs South seven points closer with 8 minutes to go.
Kutcha answered with a 5-yard scoring run that helped push the Liberty lead to 35-21 with less than 6 minutes to go.
Again, Wilhelm brought the Jaguars within 7 points on a 1-yard TD pass to Stevenson with 3:30 remaining.
But Hicks' third rushing TD of the game, a 42-yard scoot up the middle with little over 2 minutes to go, sealed the deal for Liberty.
"My backs did amazing," Kutcha, the Liberty quarterback doubling as return man extraordinaire a la Deion "Primetime" Sanders, said. "My receivers did great. The line did great. Defense did great. Everyone did great."
