Leopards look to avenge loss to Argyle
ARLINGTON, Texas–It has never been a secret among Liberty-Eylau coaches and players: That they want a second shot at Argyle.
A year ago Argyle beat the Leopards in the Region II-4A, Division 1 title game, 45-42. Tears flowed on the losers’ side, but before they were off the field, L-E had one common goal for its 2015 season, and that was to get back to the regional finals and beat Argyle.
It’s now a reality. The Leopards, ranked 50th (all classifications) in Texas (MaxPreps), plays the 37th-ranked Eagles tonight at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m.
“Coach (Todd) Rodgers and his staff have a great program; we respect that,” L-E coach Steve Wells said. “However, our kids wanted this rematch. We had a chance to win last year, and I believe our kids would have been disappointed if they had been playing Kennedale this week. We’ve worked with a chip on our shoulder.”
Both teams enter with 12-1 records, the Leopards losing their season opener to unbeaten Gilmer and the Eagles falling to unbeaten Celina.
This game has dynamite written all over it, Argyle averaging more than 51 points per game,
while the Leopards have been scoring at a 47-point clip. L-E is piling up nearly 550 yards per game, while the Eagles average nearly 400.
“L-E is a very talented team, and I think we’re more talented than we were last year,” Argyle’s Rodgers said. “L-E not only has fabulous athletes, but they know their role, and the coaching staff does a good job of giving them specific things to do. You’ve got receivers that can stretch the field, explosive backs and a talented offensive line.”
Rodgers is emphatic about his Eagles containing Leopard quarterback Kémon Freeman if Argyle is to win again.
“Freeman is a talented kid and does a lot of things well,” he said. “The whole football team looks to him in crippled situations. He’s got the pulse of the football team the way he handles himself, and I think they kind of rally around him. He is definitely that guy that makes a better team.”
Freeman has rewritten L-E’s record book. He’s rushed for more yards than any Leopard quarterback in a season and career. Freeman has 1,750 yards on the ground and 26 touchdowns. He’s passed for another 3,097 and 26 TDs.
Running behind Freeman is senior Lamont Byrd with 1,484 yards and 24 TDs. The Leopards’ senior signal-caller has three big-time receivers with Garyco Witcher, Thurman Morbley and Decorian Meadows.
Argyle counters with a similar offensive lineup.
Junior quarterback Dane Ledford has made the move from safety in brilliant style. Arguably the Eagles’ best allaround athlete, Ledford has completed 167 of 229 passes or 2,301 yards and 17 TDs. The running back is Taylor Sweatt with 1,370 yards and 24 TDs.
Argyle’s receivers include Drew Estrada and Gage McCook, who have combined for 100 receptions, 1,224 yards and 15 TDs.
“The X factor for us is Freeman,” Wells said. “In my 28 years he’s one of the top four or five kids I’ve coached. Athletically, he can take over a game, and he refuses to lose.
“Argyle’s quarterback (Ledford) is also very athletic. Their running back (Sweatt) is a tough kid and good back, but it’s No. 3 (Estrada) that stands out to me.
“We’ve got to do a good job of shutting down the jet sweep. He could hurt us there. They will try to get the ball to him in a variety of ways. He also returns kicks.”
In addition to his 57 receptions for 884 yards and eight TDs, Estrada has rushed for 340 yards on 32 carries, scoring seven TDs.
Once this game is over, it could be which defense stands out the most, and both squads have outstanding defenders.
Junior end Lagaryonn Carson has been outstanding the last two weeks and is currently the team’s leading tackler with 148 stops, including 17 sacks. Henry George has 137 tackles, Demarcus Pegue 131 and Michael Lindley 125. Denzel Green, Andre Wiley and Arymis Johnson have two interceptions each, Johnson’s coming in the last two playoff games.
“Defensively, we have been physical,” Wells said. “I think we’ve got a good game plan against them. One of the main things you worry about when you play in a place like Cowboy stadium is to get the awe out of the way early and understand you’re there to play the game.
“We were in the weight room Monday and Wednesday, constantly trying to get stronger and better. The biggest thing this year is that we’re a lot stronger up front than what we were last year. I think that’s going to be a big key to the game. They’re good up front, but I think we’re good up front. We like some of our matchups.”
Argyle does have a weapon that the Leopards cannot match. Senior Caleb Holt and his backup have converted 86 of 86 PATs, while booting 12 of 14 field goals, with a long of 45 yards.
“Argyle has an advantage kicking, but we’ve got the best kicker (Daulton Turner) L-E has had in a few years,” Wells said.