Hawks hang on for playoff win

Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune

Liberty’s Talan Lamattina powers into the end zone during a 14-12 playoff victory over Firebaugh. Lamattina led the Hawks in tackles, blocked a point after and recovered an onsides kick.

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The Liberty Hawks got the breaks they needed to pick up a tight 14-12 victory over the Firebaugh Eagles in the first round of the Central Section Div. V playoffs on Friday.

The third-seeded Hawks got touchdowns in the second and third quarters, but had to hang on while Firebaugh scored twice in the fourth quarter.

However, the Hawks came up with a blocked point after and a batted down pass on a two-point conversion for the win over 14th-seeded Firebaugh and send Liberty into the quarterfinals.