Freedom has passed every test this season, but their latest one didn’t come easy.

The Patriots played their way to a hard-nosed, 29-6, victory over Whitehall last Friday night, setting up a major clash on the road this week at Parkland.

Freedom sits at 7-0 for the second straight season heading into this week’s encounter with Parkland (6-1), who came back from their first taste of defeat with a 21-3 win over Easton last week.

For head coach Jason Roeder and company, each week has been a step towards being undefeated heading into a trip to Orefield.

“We’re getting into the thick of our schedule and the remainder of this season is going to be very difficult,” Roeder said. “There’s going to be ups and downs and we just have to roll with the punches. We’re facing a great opportunity heading into Parkland.”

Roeder just hopes his team doesn’t face a similar fate as they did a year ago, losing at home to Parkland 21-13.

Freedom lost quarterback Joe Young to a season-ending hip injury in week seven a year ago and Young left Friday’s game against Whitehall with a lower leg injury.

Freedom led 15-6 heading into the fourth quarter and backup quarterback Jonah Gundrum led the Pates to two fourth quarter scores, rushing for 82 yards in the quarter and scoring on TD runs of 14 and 45 yards.

“We knew Joe was hobbled a little bit in the second half,” said Roeder. “We knew that if we wanted to run our zone game, Jonah gave us a better shot with Joe not 100 percent.”

Freedom will need Young under center this week when they take on the Trojans, but he is questionable.

The Trojans held Easton to 258 yards of offense last week, forcing five turnovers in the process.

Easton was only able to muster 103 yards on the ground, which is where the focus will be this week for Parkland as well. The Pates ran for 211 yards against Whitehall, scoring all four touchdowns in the rushing department.

With the physicality that both teams bring to the table, Friday night should be fun, but it’s also right where Freedom wants to be.

“To be 7-0 and play the three-time defending champs in their place, it’s a great opportrunity,” said Roeder. “Our coaches and kids created this opportunity and it’s exciting to be apart of.”