Staff report

EUCLID

With all the attention paid to Liberty’s Lynn Bowden making the move to quarterback in the offseason, it was the Leopards’ defense that needed relief in their season opening loss to Villa Angela-St. Joseph on Saturday.

The Leopards (0-1) allowed 477 yards of total offense in a 54-29 loss to the Vikings (1-0).

The dual-threat Bowden kept the ball 18 times and gained 183 yards on the ground. Through the air, he was 5-for-9 for 41 yards and score. He had three total touchdowns in the game.

Despite trailing 34-7 at the half, Liberty fought back to make it 34-21 midway through the third quarter. VASJ’s offense was just too much for the Leopards.