2021 CTA WPIAL Football Round 1 Player of the Week: Christian Liberto (Hampton)

Hampton football player Christian Liberto walks on a football field before a game.

SOURCE: (Joey Mayer, Instagram)

STUD ALERT: Christian Liberto rushed for two touchdowns, one of them being the game-winning TD, against Plum, which resulted in a 14-13 win in the first round of the WPIAL 4A Football Playoffs. His Talbots are currently are 11-0 on the season and will face Thomas Jefferson at home on Friday in the second round of the WPIAL 4A Football Playoffs.

Questions & Answers

You rushed for a total of two touchdowns, one of them being the game-winning TD, against Plum in the first round of the WPIAL 4A Football Playoffs. How does it feel knowing that your team won and is moving onto the next round?

Christian Liberto: It was a tough win, but knowing that we get another game and another opportunity on the field is great. We are still hungry and we want more.

At one point, your team was trailing 13-7 against Plum, how did your team manage to stick together in order to come back and win the game?

CL: We knew that we were beating ourselves. We had to relax, and once we stopped making mistakes, we took the game.

Next up on your schedule, you have to face the back-to-back WPIAL and PIAA champions Thomas Jefferson Jaguars at home. Without giving away any secrets, what does your team have to do to win that game?

CL: We like being the underdog, even though it may not look that on paper. A great week of practice is needed, and all our minds need to be on beating TJ this week.

It's important for a team to be focused and hyped before a playoff game. What are you trying to get your teammates excited for this upcoming matchup?

CL: We try to focus on blocking out everyone that’s not in our football family, and we get excited by hyping each other up listening to music and focusing on the end goal.

As a senior on the team, how important is it for you and the rest of the seniors on the team to win a WPIAL and PIAA championship?

CL: It would mean everything to this class of seniors if we were to win a championship. We have gone through losing seasons, so to win a chip would be amazing.

Now, tell me, what's it like having head Jacque DeMatteo as your head coach?

CL: Coach D is a great mentor to everyone on the team. He pushes us to be the best football players and men we can be. He can be tough at times, and then be the funniest guy out there at other times.

As a running back and football player, what does your diet consist of in order to be in the best shape and condition that you can be in?

CL: I always make sure to have tons of water throughout the day.

If you won the lottery, what is one of the first thing that you would do with your winnings?

CL: I would buy my parents and family a new house.

What is your favorite class that you are taking this year in your senior year of high school?

CL: Lifetime activities

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

CL: I have a 3.8 GPA.

Brentaro Yamane: bkyamane@gmail.com and Twitter/Instagram @BYHilton13