Liberty’s football team had nearly three weeks off following its regular-season finale Oct. 24 before its Open Division state semifinal Friday.

The Patriots kept it a bit light at practice in their first week off. They held a pickleball tournament as a team bonding event.

“That was fun,” Liberty coach Rich Muraco said.

Now, the real fun begins. The lengthy break is over for the four Southern Nevada teams in the new Open Division state tournament, with semifinal action beginning Friday.

No. 2-seeded Liberty (9-1) hosts No. 3 Arbor View (8-2) at 6 p.m. in a battle between the top two public school programs in the state. No. 1 Bishop Gorman (9-1) hosts No. 4 Foothill (7-3) at 6 p.m. in the other semifinal.

The winners advance to the state title game Nov. 25 at Allegiant Stadium.

“It’s g

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