Consecutive second-quarter penalties hurt Liberty’s scoring opportunities in the Hurricanes’ 35-0 loss against Emmaus on Friday night at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium.

“That was a big turning point, and then we got some calls in the second half that felt like make-up calls, but it was too little, too late,” said Liberty head football coach Shawn Daignault. “I didn’t agree with a lot of those calls in the first half, but some of them.”

The Hornets had already scored twice in the first quarter before penalties came in to play.

Emmaus quarterback Josiah Williams ran 15 yards for the Hornets’ first touchdown, and senior running back Jared Groller scored with 5:16 remaining.

Liberty’s first drive of the second quarter ended with a fumble recovery by Emmaus’s Jaden Delgado. On the next play, Emmaus wide receiver Sam Moratori ran 50 yards for touchdown number three.

“There were good blocks on the line, we had blocks downfield, and it wouldn’t happen without them. It felt great, and my teammates celebrating with me at the end was amazing,” Moratori said. “That’s our goal, trying to shut out every team, but we take it week by week.”

It didn’t appear the Hurricanes were going to be held scoreless when Liberty quarterback Tommy Mason went 34 yards for a touchdown before a holding penalty was called on the ‘Canes.

Then, on a third-and-12 for Emmaus, Liberty’s Tyshawn Jack intercepted a pass, but another penalty was called against the Hurricanes. Three minutes later, Liberty’s Nico Sciarra came up with an interception, but the ‘Canes were called for roughing the passer.

“Bottom line, we got outplayed by a really good team tonight,” said Coach Daignault. “What we do from here is going to define us. For the seniors, we’ve got three weeks to get them that feeling of success again that we had week one, and for the younger guys, better days are ahead.”

Groller scored Emmaus’s touchdown in the third quarter, and Williams’ throw to Jaiden Robinson in the fourth quarter ended the scoring for the Hornets.

“It’s not easy, after games, to keep a big-picture perspective,” Daignault said. “There’s been some games this year where we lose by one score and people are congratulating me, and I go home, and I’m like, why are people congratulating me about a loss? But when you sleep on it, spend a few days, and look back, you see the big picture. You’ve got to keep taking strides in the right direction, and I still do feel like better days are ahead of us.”