By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

LIBERTY

Liberty High coach Kevin Cylar refers to duel-threat quarterback Lynn Bowden and breakaway back Ben Phillips as his home run hitters, a la Barry Bonds and Babe Ruth.

Gilmour Academy’s defense might have a better name — “Big Poison and Little Poison.”

Bowden rushed for 232 yards and four touchdowns, while Phillips added an interception and three touchdowns. The second-seeded Leopards easily disposed of the Lancers, 62-7, in Division V Region 15 quarterfinal action Saturday at Liberty Leopard Stadium.

It was the 10th consecutive win for the All-American Conference National Division champions who advance to second-round play next Saturday. The Leopards will meet third-seeded Ursuline.

“Not to be cocky, but we expected this,” Cylar said. “I liked everything we did tonight, except their last drive when they scored.

“We let our guard down and cannot do that.”

The fans were barely seated when Bowden’s 15-yard score at 7:24 of the opening quarter gave the Leopards (10-1) the early 7-0 advantage.

Phillips’ 26-yard run at 4:49 extended the Liberty lead to 14-0 and when Bowden added his second touchdown of the quarter at 2:45, the Leopards had built a 21-0 margin.

Phillips’ 60-yard punt return 91 seconds later gave Liberty a 28-0 advantage after the first 12 minutes.

“We lost last year in the first round and, as a team, we just needed to make a statement,” Bowden said. “We talk state championship as a team, but also know we have to take it one step at a time and not look ahead.

“I expect to play every opponent like it’s our last opponent. Tonight, we just wanted to defend our house.”

Bowden’s third touchdown of the game came from 12 yards out early in the second quarter gave the Leopards a 35-0 advantage.

When Phillips added his second punt return for a touchdown, this one 52 yards, Liberty stretched their lead to 42-0 a little less than 17 minutes into the game.

“We’ve worked really hard all season long and will continue to work hard in order to get to the state championship,” Phillips said. “We didn’t want an early exit like last season.

“Ever since our first practice back in August, when we break we say ‘state on three.’”

Bowden added a touchdown run of 69 and Alex Carnathan scored from one-yard out to close out the first half scoring for the Leopards.

JaShaun Whitman added to Liberty’s lead in the second half.

Gilmour Academy (8-3) avoided the shutout when quarterback Connor Lesko found Nick Regalbuto for a 39-yard touchdown with 4:02 remaining.

The Leopards racked up 384 total yards, all on the ground, while a stingy Liberty defense held the Lancers to just 33 rushing yards on 192 total.

“These kids are hungry and focused,” Cylar said. “I deal with these guys every day and I know how hard they work, their commitment and focus.

“I just tell them to continue to do what you’ve been doing, stay humble and continue to be good citizens because good behavior correlates to wins. I’m a firm believer that if you’re classy on the outside and good in the school building then that makes for good focus on the field.”