ROYSE CITY, Texas-Two storied programs clash tonight in the Class 4A, Division I area round.
Liberty-Eylau and Dallas Carter clash at Royse City ISD Stadium with a 6 p.m. kickoff. It will be the second game of the day as Daingerfield and Gunter meet at 1 p.m. at the same site.
The Leopards (6-5) ride a 5-game win streak into the area round against the Cowboys (9-2). Liberty-Eylau has scored 454 points (41.3 average) and allowed 427 (38.8). Carter has three shutouts on the season, has won three in a row, scored 482 points (43.8 average) and given up 156 (14.2).
"Defensively, they're big and athletic and they run to the ball well," Wells said. "Their defensive tackles are physical, and they're pretty good at the corner positions. They can run a 4-3 with a lot of man coverage, and they will switch to a 6-1 and try to put more pressure on you.
"Their quarterback throws it fairly well, especially with their short game, and getting the ball to athletes. They like to run out of the spread, and their running back can go, too. They're like us in trying to use all their athletes in space."
L-E beat Brownsboro, 49-35, last week in the bi-district round and has advanced to the regional finals 2 out of the past 3 years.
The Leopards have piled up 4,611 yards of total offense this season, including 2914 via the air. Senior quarterback Decorian Phillips has connected on 183 of 310 passes for 2,827 yards, 28 TDs and 10 interceptions. In his last three games, Phillips has completed 62 of 91 for 925 yards, 12 scores and an interception, with solid protection coming from his offensive line.
Ralph Crabtree has rushed 123 times for 691 yards this fall, scoring nine touchdowns. Phillips adds 96 carries for 554 yards and 10 TDs. Cedric Dickerson has rushed for eight TDs and also scored once on defense.
The talented receiving corps. for the Leopards features Isaiah Cross (49 catches-787 yards-7 scores), Mahleik Darty (47-704-9), Dazawion Cooper (40-721-8) and El-Amin Greer (37-524-3).
Ken'Trell Chatmon pulled down his team-leading third interception last week and also has 113 tackles onthe year to lead the Leopards. Marzavin Riles adds 82 stops, and Tremaine Brown had 77 and three fumble recoveries.
The Cowboys defeated Mineral Wells, 49-21, in the first round of the playoffs. Carter quarterback Detron Hall has thrown for 25 TDs and 1,884 yards on 109 completions. Tailback Justise Wade-Harris has rushed for 1,006 yards and 13 scores, and Hall has 776 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. Cedric Hayes has 23 catches and 8 scores and Marquis Borner adds 522 yards and 9 TDs.
Carter has 4390 total yards, 2441 rushing, and 1949 passing.
The winner advances to the Region II-4A, Division I semifinals against either Kaufman (10-1) or Springtown (6-5), which play at 2 p.m. in Birdville.
The L-E game will be broadcast on KYGL 106.3 FM beginning at 5:40 p.m.
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TONIGHT'S LINEUPS
(Numbers in parentheses)
DALLAS CARTER OFFENSE: WR-Cedric Hayes (17), 173; SLOT-Marquis Borner (11), 163; LT-Cameron Perkins (55), 290; LG-Daquirean Haynes (51), 255; C-Dathan Waiters (61), 260; RG-Roderick Brown (78), 265; RT-Sebastian Blunt (77), 290; FLK-Nichael Whitehead (16), 165; WR-Colby Ethridge (18), 170; QB-Detron Hall (5), 183; RB-Justise Wade-Harris (22), 170.
DALLAS CARTER OFFENSE: DE-Jarell Cherry (44), 235; DT-Branard Wright (45), 285; DT-Jalen Brown (47), 285; DE-Tommy George (48), 220; LB-Matthew Hunt (9), 200; LB-DeAndre Wright (34), 178; LB-Dashun Sparks (3), 188; CB-Colby Ethridge (18); SS-Timothy McMillan (4), 167; FS-Daniel Prosper (27), 175; CB-Kobe Wilson (23), 173.
LIBERTY-EYLAU OFFENSE: WR-El-Amin Greer (4), 170; WR-Dazawion Cooper (11), 148; WR-Isaiah Cross (10), 165; WR-Mahleik Darty (9), 145; LT-Kylar Cooks (76), 250; LG-Dayshuwn McChester (64), 285; C-Colton Bergt (52), 251; RG-Connor Green (65), 242; RT-Trey Parker (51), 221; QB-Decorian Phillips (1), 180; RB-Ralph Crabtree (6), 160; PK-Steven Goben (43), 158.
LIBERTY-EYLAU DEFENSE: DE-Gerald Webster (85), 195; DT-Antony Alexander (58), 225; DT-Trey Revels (42), 210; DE-Lakken Stuart (35), 201; LB-Cedric Dickerson (33); LB-Marzavin Riles (34), 160; LB-Donté Coopwood (3), 160; CB-Davonta Vaughn (13), 155; S-Dominique Williams (23), 140; S-Ken'Trell Chatmon (14), 165; CB-Michael Conley (15), 150; PNT-Isaiah Cross (10).