Freedom footballs 28-point 2nd quarter highlights physical win over Easton – lehighvalleylive.com

Juan Feliciano said the message in practice this past week at Freedom High School was play fast and play physical.

Feliciano, a 6-foot, 260-pound, two-way starting lineman, and his Patriots teammates did that and more Friday night in a 31-17 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division victory over Easton at BASD Stadium.

Felicianos crushing blindside hit of Easton quarterback Cole Transue and the ensuing fumble that was scooped up by Owen Johnson for a 55-yard touchdown triggered a 28-point outburst by No. 3 Freedom in the second quarter.

Instead of the seventh-ranked Red Rovers converting on the fourth-and-4 play from the Patriots 29-yard line and moving on in the drive to break a 3-3 tie, it was the Patriots, sparked by their swarming defense, who went into overdrive.

That was a big momentum swing, said Freedoms other senior two-way lineman Braelin Moore, who registered two sacks, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in the first half.

Moore wreaked havoc on the next drive with a tackle for loss and a sack. A short punt, which came after a poor snap from center, allowed the Patriots to start at Eastons 24.

Running back Jalen Fletcher took a pitchout around right end, cut back and raced untouched into the end zone. Zeyad Ragab added his second PAT for a 17-3 lead.

Eastons next possession netted minus 1 yard. Ethan Neidig returned the Red Rovers 32-yard punt to Eastons 35. Quarterback Brian Taylor deftly avoided a sack for a 13-yard gain before handing off to Kyle Johnson. The 5-10, 210-pound junior dashed through the right side of the line and carried four Rovers the final 4 yards for a 20-yard touchdown with 2:53 left in the half.

Feliciano imposed his will on the next series when he stuffed Eastons speedy running back Marcus Williams for no gain and stripped the ball at the same time. Moore picked up the loose ball and returned it 15 yards to Eastons 22.

Three plays later, Taylor threw to an open Fletcher for a 21-yard touchdown, and the Patriots had the BASD Stadium crowd in shock with a 31-3 lead with 44 seconds left.

For good measure, Moore sacked Transue on the final play of the half at the Patriots 33.

We couldnt block them, Easton coach Jeff Braido said. You can prepare all week, but you dont have anyone on your scout team that can give the look of someone that big, that fast. Hes (Moore) going to Virginia Tech, and theres a reason hes going to Virginia Tech.

Both the Patriots and Red Rovers were coming off disappointing EPC South opening losses with the Patriots struggling offensively in their 13-6 defeat at Emmaus. Easton couldnt protect a 21-7 lead against Parkland and fell 24-21.

It was not a fun week at our place; were not use to losing, Freedom coach Jason Roeder said. They responded not only tonight but all week in practice. Our defense made them uncomfortable, and I like the way we were flying around and playing hard. When you do that, you create the turnovers.

We had short-term memory, Moore said of the Emmaus loss. We know (in the EPC South) you cant sleep on any team.

Probably the one bright spot in the Emmaus loss was the rushing of Deante Crawford (20 rushes for 92 yards and a 13-yard TD). However, the senior was not at the game because of COVID-19 contact-tracing protocol.

We didnt get the news until yesterday (Thursday) on the practice field, Roeder said. It became next man up.

Sophomore Noah Pierre made the most of his sudden playing time with 13 rushes for 84 yards, including a 56-yarder on Freedoms first play from scrimmage.

Jalen Fletcher scored his two touchdown and wouldve tallied a third TD late in the game except he fumbled at the goal line and Easton recovered. He added 76 yards on seven carries.

Jalen is one of our most explosive players, Roeder said. We had to do a quick tutorial with him because hes normally a slotback.

Johnson is listed as a tight end, but he looked right at home running from the backfield. He contributed 53 yards on eight attempts.

We knew wed miss Deante, but those guys showed what they could do, Feliciano said.

Eastons Williams is one of the most explosive running backs and kick returners in the EPC. With Feliciano, Moore and nose guard Rayshawn Nicholas collapsing Eastons line, and linebackers Daniel Macon and Lorenzo Feliciano crashing off the edges, Williams rarely had anywhere to run.

To show what kind of night Williams experienced, he gained 55 yards on three of his rushes only to finish the game with 47 yards on 16 carries. Ten times he was dropped for a loss or no gain, often by the 6-3, 295-pound Moore.

They (Patriots) have some big boys on their defensive line and they were taking us backward, Braido said.

We knew he (Williams) was one of the best running backs wed face, and we just wanted to keep him in the box and not get outside, Moore said.

Easton made the game interesting in the fourth quarter when Transue and wideout JuJu Fears connected for a 21-yard TD pass with 8:11 remaining. Transue then tossed a 4-yard scoring pass to tight end Nino Rizzolino 3 minutes later after the Patriots suffered their own snap from center problems on a punt attempt.

When Bryce Billings recovered the ensuing onside kick at Eastons 46, Red Rovers fans were suddenly harkening Al Michaels Do You Believe in Miracles? proclamation. However, consecutive sacks by Johnson and Moore and then a third forced fumble by Juan Feliciano ended Eastons comeback hopes.

Braido lamented Eastons lost opportunities early in the game.

We intercepted two passes and forced a fumble and we only had three points to show for it, Braido said.

Rizzolino enjoyed a big game. The 5-10, 210-pound linebacker/tight end registered one of those interceptions at the line of scrimmage to go with a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss. JVier Johnson grabbed the other interception.

Freedom travels to Parkland next Friday, and Easton plays host to Central Catholic.

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Corky Blake may be reached at sports@lehighvalleylive.com.

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Freedom footballs 28-point 2nd quarter highlights physical win over Easton - lehighvalleylive.com