Atlanta’s Late Score Downs Liberty-Eylau

TEXARKANA—Atlanta spoiled Liberty-Eylau’s homecoming and overcame late first-half hiccups to beat the Leopards, 31-26, Friday at Harris Field.

Layton Henson scored on a 7-yard run early in the fourth quarter after Nick Washington’s interception set up the Rabbits (2-1) with a short field.

Nick Cooper capped a 10-play scoring drive for Atlanta in the third quarter that covered 73 yards with his 7-yard touchdown for his second score of the game. His run with 3:44 left in the game regained the lead for the Rabbits.

Decorian Phillips threw a 43-yard score for the Leopards midway through the fourth quarter, but their next drive ended on downs, and Atlanta was able to run out the clock.

Henson rushed for 68 yards and threw for 176 on 12-of-26 passing. Jawan King added 79 yards rushing and a score.

Phillips was 11-of-28 passing for 153 yards with a touchdown and interception. He also ran for 81 yards and a score.

The Leopards scored twice in the final 2:15 of the first half to erase a 17-6 deficit and took a 20-17 lead into the locker rooms.

Kameron Levingston had scoring runs of three and six yards for the Leopards, the first at the end of a 12-play drive that covered 69 yards. The second came just 52 seconds later after a fumble on the ensuing kickoff was recovered by Triston Brooks at the Rabbits' 23-yard line.

Atlanta jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Zee Barfoot kicked a 24-yard field goal after his team blocked a punt at the end of Liberty-Eylau's first possession, Tristan Allen recovering the ball seven yards from the end zone.

King added an 8-yard touchdown run after the Leopards fumbled on their second possession.

Decorian Philips scampered eight yards for the Leopards with 10:03 left in the half, but Cooper staked Atlanta to a 17-6 lead with his 2-yard plunge with 5:32 remaining in the second quarter.