Liberty’s football team could finally exhale last weekend.

After going through a winless campaign in 2020, the Hurricanes started off a new era under head coach Shawn Daignault with a 24-16 win over East Stroudsburg South in week one.

“You could feel the pressure lift off their shoulders after the game,” said Daignault of his players. “These kids have waited a long time to get a win and it was a great feeling for them. I was really happy they got to experience that.”

Going on the road to arguably play the top team in the EPC North was never going to be an easy task for a Hurricane team coming off an 0-6 season and transitioning to a new coaching staff, but Daignault and his staff proved in one week that this isn’t the same old Liberty team that fans have been accustomed to over the years.

Most notably, Liberty (1-0) only committed two penalties, both late in the game, to usher in new era of focus and discipline.

“I was really proud of that,” Daignault said. “We had no procedural penalties and the kids played with class. It’s something that I hope continues the rest of the year.”

Liberty quarterback Tommy Mason threw for 281 yards and two scores, along with an interception. Karim Brice was on the receiving end of three balls for 158 yards and a score for the Hurricanes, as he showed big play capability on both of scores, going 69 and 80 yards respectively. After falling behind 8-0 to start the game following the Cavaliers opening drive, Liberty scored 24 straight points, as they endured their way through the heat, while East Stroudsburg had several starters on both sides of the ball bow out to injuries and cramping.

“I think it validated a lot of the conditioning we did in camp and throughout the summer,” said Daignault. “I think a lot of the stuff we’ve been preaching to the team resonated with what was going on Friday night.”

Kyndred Wright added 100 yards on the ground and a 41-yard TD in the fourth quarter to ice the game, as they now prepare for a major test Friday night at home when Central Catholic makes their way to BASD Stadium.

The Vikings (1-0) took down Dieruff last week 37-7, but Daignault knows Liberty will have a handful taking on a Tim McGorry coached team.

“They’re not going to make a lot of mistakes,” he said of Central. “They have a difference maker on the defensive line and they make things difficult for you. There are no easy weeks in the EPC South. We just need to keep improving everyday.”

Freedom (1-0) had no trouble in week one, as they ran away from Allen with a 54-12 victory.

Deante Crawford had a Barry Sanders-esque performance carrying the ball five times for 165 yards and four touchdowns in the onslaught. With the mercy rule in effect by halftime, Freedom was able to give starters rest in the second half as they now prepare for the biggest game of the weekend when they travel to Emmaus Friday night.

The Hornets (1-0) came into the season ranked sixth in the state, while Freedom wasn’t ranked, despite the Patriots being a consensus top team in District 11.

Needless to say, Friday’s showdown should be one of the best games of the weekend.

“I think they’re state ranking will certainly be discussed with our guys this week,” said head coach Jason Roeder. “We all know rankings are just rankings, but Emmaus is very good team. We didn’t play them last year, so we’re a little unfamiliar with what they have, but everyone knows they’re a really good team. Playing in big games like this early in the year is where you want to be as a program, but ultimately the goal for us is to be the number one team at the end of the season.”