After a 30-13 loss to Freedom the following week, Parkland quickly sent a message to Northampton in their 23-14 victory last week.

The Trojans’ defense stymied the Konkrete Kids’ offense early and gradually took control of the game behind running back T.J. Lawrence’s game-high 135 yards.

Northampton entered the game with a 2-0 record, and the Kids were confident of snapping a 14-game losing streak against Parkland.

But the Kids suffered their share of errors – including two interceptions and could never get into any kind of rhythm.

Despite the setback, Kids’ head coach John Toman was proud of his team’s effort.

“Friday night we clearly battled and played with Parkland,” offered Toman. “We had our opportunities, but we didn’t execute in critical situations.

“We will use this to improve in those situations in the future. I really loved the fight in our kids.”

However, life doesn’t get any easier for the Kids this week as they meet undefeated Liberty (3-0) at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium Friday night.

The Hurricanes knocked off Stroudsburg, 31-14, last week. It will be the first Northampton County divisional game for both teams.

“Liberty will be another great challenge,” added Toman. “This is a great opportunity against a 3-0 team. This is our first divisional game, so there is added motivation.”

PREDICTION (Overall record 2-1): Liberty has won the last 14 matchups between the teams. The two teams last meet in 2016, and Liberty posted a 14-7 victory due to the Kids playing the EPC North ... Liberty is 3-0 for the first time since 2007 ... Kids’ quarterback Gavin Taff completed 13 of 29 passes for 117 with two interceptions. Billy Stuhldreher was the Kids’ leading ground gainer with 65 yards on 13 carries, and Taff ran for 60 yards on 10 carries. Tymir Williams caught five balls for 55 yards. Each had a rushing TD. Owen Stanchock led he Kids with 12 tackles and a sack. Devlin Chevere added 10 stops ... Liberty is certainly a surprise, and have victories over Stroudsburg and Pennridge, both teams with two wins. They also defeated Allentown Central Catholic, which should be in the playoff hunt ... Liberty quarterback Antonio Fontanez completed 10 of 22 passes for 177 yards with a touchdown last week, and he rushed for 48 yards. Gabe Green ran for 88 yards with a touchdown ... This can be a tussle for the Kids, but they need to avoid a sluggish start. They will need to get their running game in gear, and Taff needs to regain his high-percentage passing attack. Kids have the annual Cement Bowl with Whitehall next week, which will be an emotional battle ... If Kids are to be in the postseason hunt this season, this will be a true character test. Toman needs to rally the troops, and his defense here can be the key. It’s a tough call, but something tells me the Kids will be back. Assistant head coach Kevin Ronalds can keep a Sal’s cheesesteak in the freezer for me ... KIDS