LIBERTY-EYLAU
LAST WEEK: In a battle of Top 10-ranked teams, the Leopards fell to Gilmer, 61-55, to open the season.
THIS WEEK: Liberty-Eylau hosts fifthranked Carthage, playing the first game on the newly installed field turf. OFFENSIVE
STANDOUTS: Running backs Kameron Levingston (18-126, 2 TDs) and Kevin Florence (19-164, 3 TDs) powered the L-E running attack, which gained 383 yards on 49 attempts. QB Decorian Phillips connected on 5 of 7 passes for 96 yards with an interception and a TD, covering 25 yards to WR LaDerrick Gray. Phillips also rushed five times for 66 yards and a score, and RB DeAndre Hoof added a rushing touchdown. PK Steven Goben was 5 of 7 on PATs. DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS: DB Daquarious Meadors had eight solo stops among his 15 tackles to lead the Leopard defense. he also had three pass breakups. LB Donald Caldwell had nine tackles, DE Lagaryonn Carson eight stops, and LB Cedric Dickerson and DE Orion Williams seven each. LB Triston Brooks had six tackles, and DB Kentrell Chatmon five. COACH STEVE WELLS’ COMMENTS:
“I’m proud of our kids’ effort. We’re veteran up front on the defensive line and offensive line, and we did a good job of controlling the line and being able to run the ball. The game plan was to run the ball against Gilmer. We felt like we could milk a little bit more clock
plus we felt real good about our running game going in. We had worked our passing game in our two scrimages quite a bit, and it’s going to be fine and will come along. We’re just a little inexperienced at quarterback, and we want them to feel comfortable.
“We had Gilmer on the ropes. We had stopped them three straight times in the first half and had a chance to go up three scores, but we missed a wheel route that was wide open and would’ve easily been six points. Against good teams, when you get them down and reeling, you’ve got to take advantage of those opportunities. We threw an interception going in and let them get back in it.
“The second half it was a battle back and forth. I have to give credit to them; they’ve got a good football team. We’ve got a good football team, and it was two of the better teams in East Texas going head to head, right off. And anytime two offenses that are that talented collide, your defense takes some time to catch up, especially that early in the season. It’s hard to be in the shape you need to be in for that NASCAR pace in Game 1. I don’t think the defenses are that bad; the offenses are just way ahead of where most teams are at this point.”