Bolivar Football faced off against district and conference opponent Hillcrest on Friday Sept. 18. The Liberators came into the matchup with a record of 2-1, ranked ninth in the state in Class Four and second in district competition. The Hillcrest Hornets started the game 1-1 following a big win over Parkview, winning 41-12.
Bolivar started with homecoming festivities, with Sophia Garber winning Homecoming Queen, escorted by Darian Gonzales.
At halftime, Bolivar honored the 2026 Bolivar High School hall of fame inductees. Starting with Class of 1961 Robert Hammons, who was a starting guard on the 1960 state championship Bolivar basketball team, the only state title team for boys basketball. Hammons served six years in the Vietnam war before becoming a basketball coach, official, and business owner.
Next was the class of 1983 graduate Russell Jackson, who set the all time record for speech and debate trophies. Jackson then graduated valedictorian at Southwest Baptist University and earned his law degree. He is now the current Global Vice President of Legal Policy at Anheuser-Busch.
The final inductee was class of 1987 graduate Lynn Coffey. He was involved in FFA, band, choir, and athletics at Bolivar High School. Coffey had a 30 year career in public education, and won seven national championships in FLBA as an advisor. Now, Coffey serves on the school board.
Looking to make a statement after their first loss of the year, Bolivar chose to receive the ball on the opening kickoff.
In no time, sophomore Shaqir McCoy picked up a wild squib kick and took it 85 yards for a Liberator touchdown on the first play of the game. Liberators missed the extra point attempt and took an early 6-0 lead.
Bolivar quickly got the ball back after a third down tackle, forcing Hillcrest to punt. Senior quarterback Chapel Banner recovered after a sack on second down, running the ball for 16 yards and a first down. This set up an 11 yard touchdown run from Sophomore Kolt Hill. An extra point conversion brought the score to 13-0.
A blocked punt on a Hillcrest fourth down gave the Liberators the ball on the Hillcrest 33 yard line.
With good field position, Bolivar marched down the field. Sophomore running back Dakota Spiegel broke multiple tackles on his way to the endzone for a 15 yard touchdown. A failed two point conversion made the score 19-0 with time still left in the first quarter.
A snap over the Hillcrest quarterback's head caused a fourth and long, giving the Liberators possession again after a Hillcrest punt.
Bolivar elected to go for it on a fourth and six on the Hillcrest 33 yard line. Banner fired a pass to senior receiver Bradyn Long that glanced off his hands, falling into the arms of McCoy who took it 33 yards for his second touchdown of the game. The extra point conversion failed bringing the score to 25-0.
Hillcrest proceeded to march down the field with big passing plays, pushing through penalties. Hillcrest senior running back Xavier Garnett bounced a run to the outside, finishing the drive with a 25 yard touchdown giving Hillcrest their first touchdown of the game. Hillcrest hit the extra point and put Hillcrest on the board, making the score 25-7.
Bolivar once again pushed the ball downfield, giving the ball to Hill for a three yard touchdown, his second of the game, extending Bolivar's lead to 32-7.
The Liberators stifled Hillcrest's ensuing attempt to score and headed to half time with a big lead.
The Hornets were forced to go for it on fourth down in the red zone to cut into the lead, but Bolivar's defense held strong.
Banner led the Liberators down the field in their second half opening drive. He capped off their effort with a 10 yard rushing touchdown, keeping it on the option play. The failed extra point conversion gave the Liberators the lead 38-7 with three minutes to go in the third quarter.
Bolivar's defense made another stop, giving Bolivar the ball back just before the start of the fourth quarter. After back-to-back first downs, Banner connected with Long on a 29 yard lob pass over the Hillcrest cornerback for a Bolivar touchdown. Bolivar converted on the extra point, making the score 45-7.
Another Hillcrest turnover on downs gave Bolivar possession, but a snap over the head of the quarterback gave the ball back to Hillcrest with time running out.
Hillcrest was unable to score on the final possession, giving Bolivar their first home win of the season with a score of 45-7 and bringing their record to 3-1.
Banner finished with 189 yards with two passing touchdowns and one on the ground. Long had five catches for 81 yards. Hill finished with eight carries for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Spiegel rounded out the running game with 3 carries for 30 yards and one touchdown. Freshman Finnegan Mccullah came into the game in the fourth quarter and got six carries for 52 yards.
Bolivar continues their season on Sept. 25, travelling to face district opponent Logan-Rogersville who is ranked fourth in the state.
