Down seven points and scuffling for a second straight week, Freedom went into halftime needing a jolt.

The Patriots' defense provided one.

Freedom forced three Central Catholic turnovers over the final 24 minutes, turning two of them into touchdowns. That allowed the Patriots to rally for a 14-7 win in a Lehigh Valley Conference football game Saturday night at J. Birney Crum Stadium.

Jared O'Donnell provided the game-winning points early in the fourth quarter, returning an interception 38 yards for a touchdown with 9:43 to play. It was O'Donnell's second pick of the night and the third generated by Freedom (1-1 overall, 1-0 LVC).

The Patriots held Central Catholic (1-1, 0-1) to 130 yards of total offense, just 43 of which came in the second half. The Vikings managed only 29 rushing yards on 20 attempts and 101 passing yards on 32 throws.

"[Defensive coordinator] Greg Moore and the defensive guys did an amazing job coming in here," Freedom coach Jason Roeder said. "Our kids responded to a challenge at halftime. Obviously that was not a pretty effort. But it was a gutsy effort.

"Jared O'Donnell, he's a kid, he's a fighter, he's a battler. He's been battling some cramps, but he's one of those senior leaders that stepped up on a very, very young team."

Central Catholic took a 7-0 lead into halftime thanks to a 12-yard touchdown pass from Mason Kholi to Jack Nosovitch with 7:38 left in the second quarter. The Vikings managed just two first downs and gave the ball away three times on their next 10 possessions.

Freedom started to gain some momentum early in the third quarter. Central Catholic started the second half by forcing a three-and-out and then got a 24-yard punt return by Ryan Beville. That put the ball at the Patriots' 45-yard line.

On Central Catholic's first offensive snap of the half, Patrick Taylor ran for 5 yards but had the ball ripped out of his hands by Bryant Connor. Freedom recovered the fumble and scored six plays later, with Jonah Gundrum finding Kylon Pretty (six catches, 77 yards) for a 35-yard touchdown pass.

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Freedom football team's defense leads rally past Central Catholic