Freedom did what they needed to do in their nationally hyped season opener against California’s Torrey Pines last week.

The Pates jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead and weathered a Torrey Pines comeback before holding on for a 17-14 victory in the Kaylee Scholarship Association showcase in Staten Island, NY.

Freedom quarterback Chase Walker came away with the offensive MVP after throwing for 262 yards and a touchdown.

Linebacker Justin Peluso was the defensive MVP after registering eight tackles and two sacks, as Freedom showed the type of potential they have in this national opener.

“It was kind of typical week one stuff,” said head coach Jason Roeder. “You have mistakes but to correct them after a win is always better.”

The Pates scored on their opening possession when Walker hit Shacre Colwell for a 51-yard TD strike to take the lead. Aaron Beete gave the Pates a boost with another big play before halftime, breaking loose for a 56-yard rushing score to give Freedom momentum heading into the break.

From there, the game flipped in the third quarter as Torrey Pines struck for two scores to tie the game.

Oscar Peterson scored on a four-yard TD run with 5:41 in the third quarter and a fumbled kickoff return on the ensuing possession set up Torrey Pines with a short field. John Prior’s four-yard score with 3:07 in the quarter helped vanquish the Pates lead until a 25-yard field goal by Michael Deluhery with 9:04 to play in the game put the Pates up for good.

“On the positive we outgained them 416-to-193,” said Roeder. “To be able to run the ball and put the game away was good. Our special teams has to get better. We didn’t have enough guys on the punt team and one got blocked and we fumbled on the kickoff return right after that.”

Those miscues can’t happen this Friday night when the Pates host Parkland in a nonleague contest.

The Trojans are coming off a 62-12 victory over Philadelphia’s George Washington last week and defeated the Pates 35-0 last year in week two on their home turf.

“They’re typical Parkland,” said Roeder. “Big and physical. The usual story. Run game was def cranking last week. We got mercy ruled last year by them, but feel we’re in a better place this year.”