It wasn’t a great start, but it certainly was a tremendous finish last Friday night when Liberty hosted Parkland in the biggest season matchup of East Penn Conference powers.

After falling behind early, Liberty scored 27 unanswered points en route to a 41-34 victory over the previously unbeaten Trojans (5-1) to mark a significant victory for the Hurricanes (5-1).

Doug Erney led the charge and showed why he may be the most valuable player in the EPC with another record-setting performance, as he was 12-of-20 for 204 yards and four touchdowns, as well as 77 yards on the ground.

To go along with a monumental win, Erney also passed Liberty’s career touchdown mark of 58, previously held by state champion quarterback Dan Persa, with his four scores last week to give him 61 career TD’s.

It was a night full of gifts, none of which mattered more than a victory over the vaunted Trojans.

“It almost felt like we haven’t beaten them in forever,” said Erney after Friday’s win. “We knew we were a good enough football team to beat the likes of Parkland and we were confident coming in. It’s just a great feeling to be standing out here as winners against a program like Parkland.”

The game didn’t start with a great feeling, as Liberty went three-and-out on the opening drive and followed that up with an eight-yard punt to give Parkland a start at the Liberty 33.

Erik Digrolamo punched in the opening score a few plays later to give Parkland a 7-0 lead. But to the credit of the ’Canes, they fought back.

On a night where Liberty ran for 316 yards, Gunner Anglovich accounted for nearly half of that, as he rushed for 148 yards and two scores, including a 37-yard scamper with just under five left in the opening quarter to make it 7-6.

After that, the first half became the Erney to Darian Street show, as he found his talented wideout for two second quarter TDs, the first from 46 yards and the second from 10 yards out on 4th and 5 to give LHS a 20-7 lead at the break.

A 75-yard TD run by Anglovich, as well as a 38-yard TD pass from Erney to Nasir Legree catapulted Liberty’s cushion to 34-7 early in the third quarter, where 41 points were scored between both teams.

Parkland’s Division-I QB, Devante Cross, started to wake up after his team fell behind by four scores, throwing TD passes of 13 and 81 yards, as well as running it in from four yards out to pull his team back in the game 41-27.

Cross would then cut the deficit to one touchdown with a one-yard plunge with 1:58 left in the game, but Parkland would never threaten again.

Cross finished the game 18-of-32 for 317 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for 48 yards and two scores, but the night never belonged to him.

It belonged to Liberty.

“This win is definitely up there as one of the best ones I’ve ever had,” said Liberty head coach John Truby. “We told the guys all week that they [Parkland] have yet to play Liberty. If we came out here and gave our best effort, we would give them a challenge.”

More importantly, the victory puts Liberty in favorable position to close out the season for a chance at districts. With Northampton (1-5) on the horizon this week, the ’Canes are well on their way to closing in on a coveted spot in the postseason.

“This puts us in the drivers seat moving forward, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Truby said. “It’s a great win and I hope this shows our kids what we’re capable of.”