Game Details - Football

East's stunning midseason turnaround began with a victory over Murray. Now the Leopards must defeat the Spartans again to continue their unlikely playoff push. The 16th-seeded Leopards (4-6, 4-1 Region 6) host 17th-seeded Murray (5-4, 2-3) on Friday in a 4A first-round matchup between Region 6 rivals who met just six weeks ago. East prevailed 57-34 in that September contest — a breakthrough performance that sparked the Leopards' remarkable revival after an 0-5 start to the season. Before facing Murray the first time, East had been outscored 226-0 in its first five games and didn't score its first points until the final minute of that fifth defeat. Since beating the Spartans, the Leopards have won four of their last five games, averaging 51.8 points per contest during that stretch. Murray enters the playoffs looking to snap a two-game losing streak after falling to Skyline 45-17 in its regular-season finale. The Spartans started the season 5-2 before dropping their final two games. The Spartans' offense revolves around the passing attack of quarterback Phil Holland, who has thrown for 1,803 yards and 25 touchdowns against eight interceptions this season. Holland's favorite target is Carson Davis, who has hauled in 35 receptions for 555 yards and a team-leading 12 touchdowns. Evan Talbot adds another deep threat with 40 catches for 565 yards and three scores. Murray's ground game is paced by Mckade Eardley, who has rushed for 624 yards and five touchdowns on 164 carries. Cruz Gardner has contributed 160 yards and two touchdowns, while Dax Jensen adds 130 yards and a score. East's offense is directed by quarterback Dru Reuss, with Joseph Cooley, Asaeli Otukolo and Karmelo Tuamoheloa serving as his primary targets. Cooley has scored four touchdowns this season, while Otukolo has reached the end zone twice and Tuamoheloa once. For Murray, Dax Jensen leads the defense with 59 tackles and three interceptions, including a return touchdown. Evan Talbot (48 tackles, four sacks) and Jacob Cushing (42 tackles, three sacks) anchor the front seven, while King Yom has added 31 tackles and two interceptions in the secondary. The winner advances to face top-seeded Ridgeline (9-0) in the second round on Oct. 31.