Freedom exactly where it expected to be

FREEDOM A year ago when Freedom was marching through the playoffs it surprised many being a No. 8 seed and not having a track record of winning in the postseason.

This year, the Irish is seeded No. 2 and is just where everybody expected it to be Level 3.

No surprises this year but the Irish do want to at least match its accomplishment last season when it reached Level 4. To do that, Freedom, which has outscored its first two playoff opponents by a combined score of 63-8, has to win at No. 1 Roncalli in the GameTime Game of the Week.

"We're playing good right now, everything's clicking, we're peaking at the right time, senior defensive end/tight end Mason Sturm said. Our coach always says just a steady incline all season and we're peaking perfect.

Like last season, Freedom (8-3) is finding success in the playoffs with its running game. Last year, Nathan Peters did it on his own, leading the state with 2,249 rushing yards.

This season, Peters battled an ankle injury and has had help. Peters has 1,185 yards and 20 TDs, while Isaac Gonnering has added 511 yards and 11 TDs.

We have two backs, theyre battling between each other for carries, coach Clint Kriewaldt said. Each one wants more of the carries. Its fun to see these guys duke it out and fight for the carries. Theyve both been running pretty hard for us.

And they will need to Friday, as Freedom will be on the road for the second week in a row after winning last week at Campbellsport 30-8. Notwithstanding, Freedom almost embraces road games.

"If you look at all our losses the last two years, every one is on this field here, Kriewaldt said. I don't know what it is, but for whatever reason it seems we come together more on that bus ride there.

I think we get the kids away from, whether it be their girlfriends, just get them out of their house and get focused on football right away. So going on the road isn't a big deal. It should be a pretty fun atmosphere to play in Friday night."

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Freedom exactly where it expected to be