By Brian Ptashinski @BPtashinski on Twitter
Orefield- The classic “bend but don’t break” symbolism was on display Friday night thanks to the defensive performance of the Liberty Hurricanes against a vaunted Parkland offense. Parkland reached the red zone on three occasions, but could only muster two field goals for their efforts in 14-6 loss to Liberty on front of a near-capacity crowd at Parkland.
The Trojans got off to a good start, by taking the opening kickoff and drove to the ‘Canes seven-yard line using nearly half the quarter, but could only show a 23-yard field goal and 3-0 lead. Liberty would answer on their first possession.
Liberty went 63 yards keyed by two big third down conversions as quarterback Todd Erney completed a 32-yard pass to Darian Street and a 16-yard pass to Gunner Anglo Vichy on the drive. RB Nasir Legree capped off the drive with a nine yard burst and a 7-3 lead with 3:58 left.
Parkland would then give Liberty a gift in the second quarter as the Trojans muffed a punt giving the Hurricanes possession at the Trojan 18. Erney then connected on a 12-yard scoring pass to Jayden Figueroa on a fourth and four, and a 14-3 lead. Parkland added a 33-yard field goal with 2:31 left in the half and both teams went into the locker room with what would be the final score of the night.
“Our kids didn’t quite produce all night. We were put in some tough spots all night. We just kept fighting. They were resilient. They really stepped up big,” Liberty coach John Truly said of his team.
Parkland had their chances in the second half, but the Hurricane defense stepped up at every opportunity even having WR Darian Street picking off a pass in the win. The Trojans amassed nearly 280 yards and 15 first downs in the contest but only six points.
“This is not last year, this is a new season. It’s a battle each and every week. We know what they did to us last year. That has no bearing this season. We need to do a better job coaching and practicing. Just get back at going forward,” said a disappointed coach Tim Moncman after the contest.
Parkland (2-1, 1-1 EPC South) will host Easton, who defeated Freedom 27-20 Friday. Liberty(3-0, 2-0 EPC South) will host Whitehall, coming off a 37-33 loss to Nazareth.
One Response
Liberty is 3-0. They don’t have a loss.