Before there was any playoff talk following Freedom’s 41-14 win over Liberty last Saturday afternoon at BASD Stadium, Pates head coach Jason Roeder wanted to make sure everyone enjoyed the moment.

He even took a postgame selfie with a student reporter to demonstrate just how happy the moment was for everyone in the Freedom community.

Saturday’s win notched another city championship for the program and it marked the fifth straight win in the rivalry series, as well as the Pates fifth straight win of the season after a 1-4 start.

“We represent our school, our faculty, our alumni, our community and it means a lot to win the city,” said Roeder. “We’re going to enjoy the heck out of this win and the moment.”

Freedom jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but saw Liberty climb their way back, as a Gabe Green punched in a score from two yards out just before halftime to cut the lead to one score. Liberty then evened things up at 14 midway through the third quarter when quarterback Cade Vermuelen ran for an eight-yard touchdown following a Freedom turnover to tilt the momentum toward the Hurricanes.

But Freedom’s next play from scrimmage changed the complexion of the contest, as receiver Shacre Colwell threw a perfect 53-yard bomb to Jelani Fedrick on a trick play to put Freedom back on top 21-14 following the PAT.

The Pates (6-4) never looked back from that point, scoring three more touchdowns in the second half to walk off a perfect afternoon in comfortable fashion.

“Everybody in this place could feel the momentum shifting and we needed something to get that back,” said Roeder. “Credit to out offensive coaches, we’ve been working on that for three weeks and it was obviously the perfect time. The kids went out and executed and grabbed the momentum back.”

Freedom’s Chase Walker threw for 193 yards and two scores, but also fell to prey to two interceptions on the afternoon. He also ran for another touchdown.

Noah Pierre ran for 84 yards and a touchdown for the Pates, and Colwell hauled in five catches for 70 yards and a score to go along with his touchdown throw.

Vermuelen led Liberty on the day, running for 118 yards and a touchdown and throwing for 126 yards and an interception.

Liberty finishes the season 2-8, dropping their last eight contests of the season, as a young team took their lumps this year, but should come back next year as one of the teams to watch in the EPC.

Freedom is back in the playoff mix this week, as the Pates are the fourth seed in the District 11 6A tournament and host fifth seeded Emmaus Friday night at home.

Both teams just squared off against each other two weeks ago, as Freedom scored a late touchdown to pull out a 25-19 victory.

“Both schools are used to playing each other a couple times a season,” said Roeder. “It’s going to be a typical Freedom-Emmaus game, where it goes down to the wire and be physical and all the things it always is.”