Rabbs lose 16-14 heart breaker to Leopards

Nothing says football like a good rivalry game and when Atlanta battles Liberty-Eylau there’s a good chance the game will be memorable.

This was the case last Friday night as the Rabbits came very close to being 4-0 on the season, but instead fell to the Leopards 16-14.

First Quarter

The Rabbits caught a big break on the kickoff as a Rabbit player fell on the ball and Atlanta began its first possession in Leopard country at the 30.

Stacy Darty took the ball down to the 18 and Kameron Dickseron followed that by taking the ball down to the 4-yard line.

Working from the 3-yard line a couple of plays later, Darty crossed the goal line at the 8:28 mark for the game’s first score.

Juan Campos hit the point after and the Rabbs were up 7-0.

The Rabbit defense was stout all night and it showed in the first quarter as plays by Ja’Marion Owens, Jalarion Andrews, Isaiah Chandler, Markeylin Batton and Brenden Clayton kept L-E out of the endzone.

Second Quarter

L-E opened the second frame with a nice drive into Rabbit territory but Chandler, Andrews and Carmello Henderson made big plays to keep the Leopards from scoring.

The drive ended with Dim Limbrick intercepting a pass at the 1-yard line.

L-E picked up a safety later in the quarter and after the punt the Leopards went on a 53-yard drive which ended with a touchdown.

The 2-point play was no good but L-E was up 8-7 as the half arrived.

Third Quarter

The Leopards caught a big break of its own on Atlanta’s first drive of the second half, as a L-E player picked off a pass and returned it for a pick-6 touchdown.

The 2-point play was good and L-E was up 16-7. After the two teams traded possessions, Atlanta overcame a series of fourth downs to get close to the goal line.

Batton took a fake punt reverse for a first down, Rabbit quarterback Peyton Harrison hit wideout Jayden Riley on a nice throw and Darty covered what was needed to keep the drive alive.

Fourth Quarter

Eight plays into the final frame found the Rabbs attempting a 27-yard field goal. The attempt was no good and the Rabbs were still down 16-7 with 7:20 left in the game.

A stiff set by the Atlanta defense forced L-E to punt the ball away on its next drive, and after a 5-yard run by Darty, Harrison hit Dickerson for a 65-yard TD on a screen pass.

Campos hit the PAT and the Rabbs were down just 16-14.

Atlanta recovered a fumble on the kickoff and started the drive from the L-E 14.

The Leopard defense stiffened during the drive and pushed the Rabbs backwards. Eventually Campos came on for a 37-yard field goal try but missed and the game ended with L-E winning 1614.

Harrison had 105 passing yards with a TD, Darty added 33 rushing yards, Batton had 19 rushing yards, Dickerson had 66 receiving yards with a TD, and Riley added 37 receiving yards.

Defensively, Owens had 11 tackles (eight solo), Andrews had seven tackles (six solo), Henderson had seven tackles, Limbrick had an interception and Prayduz Thomas caused two fumbles and recovered one.

The Rabbs celebrate Homecoming this week against Brookhill with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m.