Jason Roeder knows it was only one game, but after a 2-8 season the Patriots endured a year ago, the Freedom head coach was feeling good after their week one victory over East Stroudsburg South.

The Patriots picked off the Cavaliers three times, recovered a fumble and scored on three touchdowns of 35-yards or more to come away with a 35-7 victory on the road.

"It was a huge win for this program," said Roeder. "You really can't downplay the significance after being 2-8 last year. We've been 2-8 for nine months and that wasn't fine with any of us."

Roberto Diez helped Freedom in the big-play department, as he scored on a 77-yard score, to go along with a 38-yard touchdown run by quarterback Joe Young.

Young also threw a 52-yard TD strike to Kylon Pretty to give the Pates something they lacked a year ago in offensive firepower.

"We won the turnover battle [4-to-1] and rushed for 233 yards," Roeder said. "When you can do that, as well as get some big plays on offense, you'll be successful."

Now, the Patriots (1-0) hope they can convert that into another victory Friday night against Nazareth (0-1) in their home opener.

The Blue Eagles lost to Stroudsburg 21-14 last week and could be a handful for Freedom despite their inefficiencies.

Stroudsburg's Gerald Douglas rushed 276 yards last week on 42 carries, as Nazareth fell behind 14-0 after 34 seconds expired in the first quarter, thanks to a 77-yard TD run by Douglas, coupled by a pick-six.

Take away those plays and Nazareth could be entering Frank Banko Field with an opening season win.

Roeder hopes that they can get their running game going again this week to help boost their 2014 campaign in the right direction.

"The kids are all pumped up for their first home game," said Roeder. "We really have to focus on each game at a time right now, but with all the work we put in over the past year, it was good to start off the right way."