Jason Roeder could run for Bethlehem mayor and perhaps convince Liberty people to vote for him following his impassioned postgame speech to his players and Freedom's student body Saturday afternoon at Frank Banko Field.

Fresh off a dominating 29-0 victory over rival Liberty on a cold and rainy day, it was nothing but warmth and sunshine for anyone wearing black and gold.

"I told you how were we going to do this," Roeder asked his players and fellow student body following the game, as he brought his postgame speech towards Freedom's Riot Squad. "Together" they would all chant three consecutive times.

And together they wiped Liberty out of the District 2-4-11 subregional playoffs with the win, while at the same time securing a home playoff game against Whitehall this Friday night.

The day summed up a turnaround season for the Patriots, who flipped their 2-8 record from a year ago to 8-2 heading into this week's playoffs.

"We walked off this field last year and put on our helmet 'rise from the ashes' and it's tough," Roeder said. "I can't tell you how proud I am of our guys to keep working hard after everyone's telling you how bad you are. I'm so happy for our guys and our school."

Freedom was far from bad on Saturday, as they jumped out to an early lead that was never seriously threatened.

Running back Joe Santos punched in the first touchdown on the day with a three-yard score with just over four minutes expired in the first quarter. A fake extra point on the following kick led to Jake Petro tossing a successful two-points to Billy Loerch to give Freedom an 8-0 lead. Quarterback Jonah Gundrum then found Jake Young on a 24-yard TD throw with 1:11 remaining in the first half to give Freedom a 15-0 lead going into halftime.

Young was a mainstay in this contest, as he caught nine balls for 196 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 40 yards rushing.

Gundrum, who has been growing into his role as the starting quarterback ever since Joe Young was forced out of action to an injury in week seven, provided more proof of his improving transition, as he finished 12-for-19 for 184 yards to go along with two touchdowns (one rushing) and three interceptions.

The turnovers Freedom committed didn't hurt them, as the Patriot defense stifled Liberty continually all afternoon. The Hurricanes punted eight times on Saturday, dropped seven passes on offense and committed 11 penalties on the day.

With Liberty hanging around in the third quarter, Freedom faced 4th and 13 from the Liberty 30 and Gundrum lofted a pass over the defense to Young for a 27-yard gain down to the 3.

Gundrum took the next play three yards for the score and a 22-0 lead with 2:10 left in the third. Freedom put the game away just before the fourth quarter, when Kylon Pretty took a reverse and threw a 76-yard score to Young for the final nail in the coffin.

"We just got to keep getting better and stick to the plan," said Roeder. "We talked about getting better everyday. I know that's boring, but that's what we got to do."