It’s no secret that Freedom’s football team enters the 2021 season as the top dogs in the area. The question is whether they can finish at that position too?

With talent and experience across the board, the Patriots figure to be a tough task for any team on Friday night’s during the season.

Coming off a 5-2 season a year ago that saw them fall to Nazareth in the District 11 6A finals, Freedom are now the front-runners to put gold medals around their necks this November.

Led by an impressive quarterback room with returning players Ethan Neidig (junior) and Brian Taylor (senior), the Pates might have the best QB situation in the district. Taylor started three games last season before a residency issue sidelined him the rest of the way, setting up Neidig to take over the rest of the way. That duo gives them plenty of experience and depth coming into the year.

Freedom also boasts one of the best offensive linemen in the state, as Virginia Tech commit Braelin Moore returns for his senior season. Moore, who was also the defensive MVP of the EPC’s Northampton County last season, will be a disruptive force on both sides of the ball.

The Pates also bring back Deante Crawford at running back, who will be one of the best players at his position this season.

Returning starters for Freedom include Sr. OL/DL Braelin Moore, Sr. OL/DL Juan Feliciano, Sr. RB Deante Crawford, Sr. QB Brian Taylor, Jr. WR/LB Owen Johnson, Jr. QB Ethan Neidig, Sr. LB Lorenzo Feliciano, Jr. DB Jalen Fletcher.

Top newcomers include Sr. OL Hector Diaz, Sr. LB Marc Humphrey, Sr. LB Josh Ruela, Jr. OL John Audette, Jr. DL Nick Ellis, Jr. OL/LB Ryan Hoffman, Jr. TE/LB Kyle Johnson, Jr. OL Collin Lutz, Jr. DL Rashawn Nicholas, Jr. TE/LB John Roeder, Jr. DB Vinnie Slepetz, Jr. WR/DB Connor Stofanak, So. WR/DB Brooks Britt, So. DB Jayden Colon, So. QB/DB Xavier Dunbar, So. OL Zach Irvin, So. TE/LB Sam Neuffer, So. RB/DB Noah Pierre.

With all the talent at head coach Jason Roeder’s disposal, as well as a veteran coaching staff on hand, Freedom could be looking at a memorable season ahead.