Liberty-Eylau aims to defend state title as playoffs ramp up

TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KSHV) – Coming off of a state title last season, Liberty-Eylau has valuable playoff experience. The Leopards know what it feels like to lift a trophy at the end of the season and they want to do it again.

But the Leopards know just because they did it once, doesn’t mean they won’t have to work to do it again.

“After going through last year, these guys have been kind of just craving to get back here, so it’s kind of like playing high stakes poker, where you got a little more on the line,” head coach Zach Fowler said. “Everything’s a little more exciting.  So this is the fun part of the year, this is what everybody likes to do, so we’re excited to get back out there.”

And while another title is calling their name, the Leopards are taking things one game at a time.

we’re not looking at like a reigning state champion situation we’re looking at like beating Dangerfield right now, so we, we haven’t looked ahead. We’re not looking at anything else, we understand that. 

“We went through it before, but it doesn’t really matter when you step on the field Friday night and Saturday, that experience doesn’t carry over, so it’s time for us to go to work and make sure that we’re prepared to play,” Fowler said.

 “Well, it’s gonna be a fight from here out,” senior Gabe Jarvis said. “We’re matured and we have a little bit of chemistry, so let’s hope we can hook it up and play.”

The Leopards play Daingerfield in the bi-district series. All three games will be played at Pleasant Grove, game one on Friday, May 2 at 7 pm and game two on May 3 at noon with game three to follow if necessary.