Kaufman Takes Advantage of Liberty-Eylau Turnovers to Eliminate the Leopards, 20-14

LONGVIEW — Kaufman was able to build a lead and fend off Liberty-Eylau, taking advantage of three Leopards turnovers and stopping them on fourth down four out of five times.

The Lions held on late for a 20-14 win over the Leopards in the Class 4A, Division I bi-district game Friday at Lobo Stadium.

Kaufman (8-3) plays Midlothian Heritage (10-1) in the area round next week. Liberty-Eylau ended its year at 5-6.

Dre Prox sparked the Lion offense with 76 rushing yards on just seven carries and two catches for 40 yards and a touchdown on a double pass in the first half.

Marquithias Johnson rushed for 88 hard yards on 24 touches for the Lions, who finished with 273 yards of total offense. De'Kembe McCullar rushed for the opening score, and Joseph Bishop hauled in a 7-yard TD from Trey Collier. just before halftime to make it 20-7.

Kevin Florence had 72 rushing yards for the Leopards, and Decorian Phillips finished 20-of-38 passing for 176 yards and a last-minute touchdown to El-Amin Greer.

The ensuing onside kick was recovered by Kaufman, which kneeled twice to run out the clock.

Phillips also ran for a touchdown on the one successful fourth-down attempt by Liberty-Eylau, which had 327 yards of total offense.