Dawaun Moody Becomes Liberty's All-Time Leading Rusher
The standout running back eclipsed a record held since 2008 to anchor the Leopards' playoff pursuit.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Football
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Liberty High School running back Dawaun Moody has solidified his place in school history by becoming the program's all-time leading rusher. He now holds the career rushing title, having surpassed the previous record established by Fitzgerald Toussaint in 2008.
Why it matters
Moody's record-breaking performance has been instrumental in powering Liberty to a 7-1 season record. His contributions on the field keep the team in a strong position as they push for a high seed in the upcoming regional playoffs.
Moody currently boasts 5,078 career rushing yards and 80 touchdowns, while maintaining an impressive 1,601 yards on the ground so far this season. Liberty currently holds a 7-1 record and is ranked No. 6 in Division V, Region 17.
The players
Dawaun Moody
He is the standout running back for Liberty High School who recently became the program's all-time leading rusher.
Fitzgerald Toussaint
He was a standout football player who held the Liberty rushing record for 18 years before being surpassed by Moody.
Dyionn Tutwiler
He is a former Liberty player whose transfer allowed Moody to become the primary ball carrier for the football program.
The details
Moody claimed the career rushing record after a breakout performance where he tallied 370 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries against Newton Falls. Since stepping into the primary ball carrier role following the transfer of Dyionn Tutwiler, he has amassed significant dual-threat production with 1,254 career passing yards and 586 receiving yards.
Timeline
2008: Fitzgerald Toussaint set the initial Liberty rushing record.
August 28, 2026: Moody broke the career rushing touchdowns record.
September 25, 2026: Moody set the single-game rushing record.
October 2026: Moody became the all-time leading rusher for the program.
Season Trajectory
The team's standing in the OHSAA Division V regional playoff rankings directly dictates their path toward a postseason berth. Continued dominance from individual stars like Moody remains vital for the team as they look to secure a playoff spot in the final two games.
With 1,601 rushing yards already this season, Moody is within range of the 2,239-yard single-season record. His performance dictates the offensive strategy for Liberty as the team prepares to finalize their seeding for the upcoming state playoffs.
The takeaway
Maintaining consistent offensive production remains the primary goal for Liberty as the regular season draws to a close. Fans should monitor the remaining schedule to see if Moody can push his total output past the single-season milestone.
What happens next
Liberty High School needs to win their final two games of the regular season to mathematically secure a playoff spot.
Further reading
For more news on local gridiron performance, check out the Youngstown Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Vindicator.
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