[By Josh Richert, Special to ETSN.fm]

PRINCETON — Liberty-Eylau's defense put on a clinic, holding Princeton to just 104 yards of total offense and seven first downs and the Leopards secured a playoff spot with a 27-3 win over the Panthers on Friday.

L-E's offense had four turnovers, but the defense made up for the miscues, forcing 11 punts and eight three-and-outs. The lone field goal was set up by a Leopard fumble deep in Princeton territory.

Still Liberty-Eylau finished with 281 yards on the ground and 444 total, with Kevin Florence scoring twice and rushing for 96 yards. Isaiah Cross rushed for 78 yards and caught 10 balls for 113 yards, and Darian Walker had a 3-yard TD reception late.

Decorian Walker completed 17 of 29 passes for 147 yards and the score.

After stumbling to get their offense in sync early, losing two fumbles in the first 15 minutes of the game, the Leopards got untracked and scored twice in the 7:06 before the half.

DeAndre Hoof plunged in from the 2 on a fourth-down attempt for the initial Liberty-Eylau touchdown, and after forcing another three-and-out for Princeton, L-E drove 62 yards on 12 plays with Florence rushing 3 yards for the score with 1:!6 left before the half.

The Leopard defense limited the Panthers to just a pair of first downs—both on their first drive—and 31 yards of total offense before the break.

L-E had 240 yards of total offense, rushing for 128 yards and passing for 112.

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