Staff photo / R. Michael Semple Liberty running back Dawaun Moody (1) looks for running room as Claymont’s Myles Wolf pursues during the first quarter of a Division V playoff game in Liberty.

LIBERTY — The Liberty Leopards celebrated Halloween by getting a big 25-7 victory over Claymont in the first round of the playoffs at home on Friday. The Leopards scored a touchdown in all three phases of the game in the process.

“Claymont did some things that we don’t normally see,” Liberty coach Dom Prologo said. “You could tell how much they wanted to win this ballgame. I’m glad we could get a win here. This has been a goal since before the season started.

“It’s awesome that we were able to score on all three phases of the game. To be able to score on offense, defense and on special teams is a real reflection of our kids’ work ethic.”

The Mustangs were on the move as the first quarter came to an end scoreless. Claymont continued driving all the way to the Liberty (9-2) 7-yard line when the second quarter got underway.

However, back-to-back incomplete passes on third and fourth down, by Claymont quarterback Carson Golec, turned the ball over on downs to the Leopards.

Then, Liberty got on the scoreboard with a quick 68-yard touchdown run down the sideline by junior Dawaun Moody. The two-point attempt was no good and the score was 6-0.

The Leopards defense forced Claymont to punt, but the Mustangs couldn’t get the kick away. Senior Joziah Hill blocked the punt and Liberty recovered on the Claymont 7-yard line.

Two plays later, junior Dyionn Tutwiler ran it in from 2 yards out. The two-point conversion attempt failed again, and the Leopards had a 12-0 advantage.

Claymont got the ball back and immediately turned it over. This time, senior Justin Helms Jr. picked off a pass and took it 10 yards into the end zone for a touchdown.

The big defensive lineman grabbed a screen pass out of the air and took it back for the score. Hill finished the first half off with a sack, and the Leopards were up 18-0 at halftime.

Claymont (6-5) received the second-half kickoff, and it went from bad to worse for the Mustangs.

The Liberty defense forced another punt, and instead of blocking the kick, Tutwiler returned it 73 yards for a touchdown. Senior Helaman Garcia made the extra point to put Liberty ahead 25-0 at the end of the third quarter.

The Mustangs got into the end zone with a late touchdown pass by Golec in the fourth quarter. Claymont tried to get the ball back with an onside kick, but senior Tyson Watson recovered for Liberty.