Freedom and Northampton met in a District XI Class 6A quarterfinal won by the Patriots, 38-15, on Nov. 1 at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium.

The Patriots took a 14-0 lead into halftime on touchdowns by Aaron Beete and Shacre Colwell but wanted better for the second half.

“At least offensively, we were a little off and it was just a matter of getting our edge back and tightening some things up,” said Freedom coach Jason Roeder. “I mean, our kids have been through the ringer the last couple weeks with the Liberty game and that environment, and the Easton game here and losing that game the week before. We’ve been in a grind here, so I thought a little different environment here in the first half and we handled it.”

Colwell grabbed a 42-yard pass from Geovanny Ledee after a handoff from Freedom quarterback Chase Walker for the Patriots to start the third quarter.

“Basically, it was a trick play that we’ve been working on, and I scored on it,” Colwell said. “I’m here for my team, and whatever I’ve gotta do to help my team, that’s what I’m gonna do.”

Nathan Stannard’s field goal midway through the third quarter extended the Patriots’ lead, 24-0, and Jacob Hauze’s carry on fourth-and-goal to the end zone scored Freedom’s fourth touchdown.

Northampton got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter with an 8-yard pass from Gavin Taff to Trent Reeves, and Zeke Spencer took the ball six yards after a penalty for the 2-point conversion.

Then, with 6:13 remaining in the game, Freedom running back Lashawn Johnson went 76 yards for a Patriot touchdown.

Northampton quarterback Aiden Hess scored the game’s final touchdown on a 5-yard run, and Aaron Gutkowski converted the extra point.

“Last time we played them, offense did an awesome job controlling the clock, moving the ball,” said Northampton coach John Toman. “This time, I don’t know. At one point, we counted seven dropped balls. If you drop balls and don’t execute against a team like this, you’re gonna end up on the short end of the stick.”

Freedom will advance to a semifinal against Parkland on Nov. 8 at BASD Stadium.

Northampton’s season isn’t over either.

“We made district playoffs, it was our first time playing in the South Division, and beating Beca last week was an awesome moment for us,” Coach Toman said. “We still have Thanksgiving and a chance to go 6-6 and have a winning season, so that’s what we’re gonna focus on, getting ready for Catty.”