With the PIAA allowing schools to schedule football games up until Thanksgiving weekend if they are not in district tournaments, the Parkland High School football team took advantage of the opportunity, scheduling a nonlegue game against East Penn Conference foe Liberty.

The Trojans were tied with the Hurricanes early in the third quarter, but the hosts scored 31 unanswered points in the second half to win the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference game 45-14 last Friday night at Parkland School District Stadium.

After starting the season later than any other team in the conference, Parkland (4-1 overall) played four league games against schools from Lehigh County (Whitehall, Allen, Dieruff, Emmaus). Those games were the entire regular season for the team.

The Trojans then had to forfeit their first-round District 11 playoff game because of coronavirus concerns. That gave Parkland three weeks off from competition before it was able to play against the Hurricanes. Liberty (0-6) gave them a familiar opponent, one which they normally see around this time in the district tournament every year.

“It’s the greatest feeling,” said Parkland senior wide receiver/defensive back JT Siggins. “Even though we couldn’t play in districts, just being able to play in another game is a blessing. Being able to play on our home field again, and to get a win, especially after the Emmaus game. It’s great to have the chance to redeem ourselves.”

Siggins had two catches on the night, none bigger than his 80-yarder from junior quarterback Ty Tremba that he took to the house to give his team a 14-7 lead at halftime. The Trojans scored the game’s opening touchdown via an eight-yard scamper by Isiah Rico, who finished with 129 yards on 24 carries and had three touchdowns to go along with it.

“Ty threw me a great ball and I ran as fast as I could to make sure I got under it,” said Siggins. “The team finally came together after a break, and it was just great to get back on the field with my brothers. We worked through some things and were able to play another game and get a win for our seniors.”

Liberty came out of the locker room at halftime on fire. On their opening play, the Hurricanes answered with a 68-yard touchdown catch by Tyshawn Jack from Tommy Mason, making his first career start at quarterback. Liberty tied the score at 14-14 with 11:42 to go in the third quarter.

The Parkland offense then got rolling. The Trojans amassed 514 yards of offense, including 285 in the air, and scored 31 straight points over the game’s final 23:42. Liberty, on the other hand, turned the ball over on three straight possessions, and was unable to get anything going offensively after its third-quarter score.

Rico scored his second touchdown of the night from a yard out to take back the lead for good, 21-14. Tremba then added to his total with an 82-yard touchdown pass to Luan Avdijaj, who had a game-high nine receptions for 124 yards.

Rico’s third touchdown of the game came on the second play of the fourth quarter from four yards away to push Parkland’s advantage to 35-14 and wrap up the game.

Head coach Tim Moncman was then able to play some upperclassmen that may not always get the opportunity. Senior quarterback Connor George added 43 yards passing and a TD pass to senior Jordan Lewis.

“Our defense made some adjustments and we just locked in,” said Siggins. “We were kind of sleep walking through the first quarter, even first half. But we finally woke up in the second half and got it going.”