Lynn Bowden

Lynn Bowden

Liberty

Player fact: The freshman running back eclipsed the 200-yard mark on 32 carries, and found the end zone four times in the Leopards 40-39 victory over Girard. He also added a 17-yard pass completion to his quarterback Asim Pleas on a fourth-down play to set up the game-winning score.

Quotable: “When I was younger, I noticed when I played — and it still carries on to now — as the time goes by in the quarters, I get stronger and stronger. I come to practice, practice hard with seniors, and ask everyone if they want to be a state champ, and if you want to be a state champ sweat is necessary. [Pleas] is the leader. It’s like we’re the two-headed monster, but we need our line first and foremost, but he gets me motivated and I get him motivated during the game.”

Zach Bader

Poland

Player fact: Bader is the anchor in the middle of a Bulldogs defense that held the area’s leading rusher to 82 yards — and five coming in the second half — in Poland’s 17-7 win over Howland. The senior nose tackle has given opposing teams fits all season with his size and strength.

Quotable: “Our defensive line did our job. We took our double teams and let our linebackers make tackles. We just played a team defense. I think it’s our conditioning and I think we’re [better] prepared for the fourth quarter. The thing that coach always tells us is bend, don’t break. It’s great, honestly, we prepared hard in the offseason and what we did in this offseason is now showing out on the field.”