The Freedom High School football team found itself in a 7-7 deadlock at halftime of its most recent game. But in the second half, the Patriots didn’t get much of a chance to score more as their offensive possessions were limited to just two (one a quarter). Parkland controlled the time of possession and scored on its opportunities in winning the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division game 21-13 last Friday night at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium.

Head coach Jason Roeder sees some things to correct, especially offensively. The Patriots (1-2 overall, 1-2 EPC) had an apparent 26-yard touchdown run called back due to a block in the back penalty, which would’ve given them a 14-7 lead in the second quarter.

“We have to finish drives,” said Roeder. “A penalty brings a touchdown off the scoreboard. That hurts. We had a chance to go up 14-7 there. It’s a matter of finishing in the red zone. Our offense I don’t think was on the field long enough to get back in that rhythm, especially in the second half.”

Freedom opened the game by going 80 yards and scoring on a two-yard run by quarterback Ethan Neidig to take an early 7-0 advantage. But Parkland tied the game on its first possession as well and then the Patriots had two drives deep into Trojans’ territory that ended on downs, including the negated touchdown run.

“We’re a couple of plays away in terms of execution from being able to win these games,” said Roeder. “There are too many self-inflicted errors right now that we have to fix. That first play of the second half was a quick hitter by them and then they were able to lean on us.”

The Trojans found the end zone just 0:14 after intermission to take their first lead of the game. Freedom, on its only possession of the quarter, went three-and-out and then watched Parkland go on an 18-play, 68-yard scoring drive that lasted over 10 minutes to put it up by double figures.

Jalen Fletcher scored on a run to cut the deficit to 21-13 with 7:41 to play, but the Patriots never got the ball back as Parkland milked the clock and moved the chains.

Parkland was able to stay on the field thanks to late down execution. The Trojans were successful on seven of eight third down scenarios in the second half, including converting on fourth down once.

“I dread seeing the third-down conversion rate for them,” Roeder said. “You have to get them off the field on third down. There’s a fine line in this league between winning and losing and you have to execute consistently. You can’t give stuff away on certain things. Give Parkland credit. They executed when they had to and controlled the ball when they had to. We have to get better, obviously.”

Freedom will now look to get back in the win column when it welcomes Nazareth (3-0, 3-0) to town on Saturday night.

“There’s no answer here other than, ‘Let’s keep working harder and stay together,” said Roeder. “That’s what we have to do. We’re a proud group here. Losses sting. This one is stinging pretty bad right now. We can’t pout and mope. It’s about going back to work on Monday.”