Hawks bend, but don’t break in win

Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune

Liberty running back Ethan Dunn sets up a Morro Bay defender for a broken tackle during a second quarter touchdown run in Friday’s victory. 

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The Liberty Hawks defense allowed the yards of the season, but the offense carried the load in a 41-27 Central Section Div. V quarterfinal victory over the Morro Bay Pirates. 

The ninth-seeded Pirates threw the ball 44 times for 372 yards against Liberty’s defense. However, the defense also had four interceptions and allowed just 11 rushing yards. 

Meanwhile, the top-seeded Liberty offense rushed for 456 yards, their second highest total of the year to put away the Pirates and advance to Friday’s semifinal against No. 4 Bishop Union.