In a matchup of two of the top teams contending for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division, special teams play was a vital aspect last Friday night at Parkland School District Stadium.

Parkland began three of its first four drives on Freedom’s side of the field, and they took advantage, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal in building a 17-0 lead right out of the gates.

The Patriots couldn’t dig themselves out of the early hole, dropping their first game of the season 38-7.

Parkland’s Palmer Kerch stormed in and blocked the first punt, and later took down Patriot punter Steven Rold for a 10-yard loss after a bobbled snap on the second punt.

“He’s been doing that for us all year,” said head coach Jim Morgans. “He’s not very big, but he plays very well.”

A 27-yard field goal by Donovan Berger ensued after the punt block. And then the Trojans found the end zone in the second quarter as Devante Cross ran in from a yard away after the bobbled punt.

“I really thought the special teams aspect, on the punt returns, I did a good job there,” Kerch said. “We had a great overall game on both sides of the ball.”

When Erik DiGirolamo crossed pay dirt on the Trojans’ next possession, Parkland had 17 straight points.

Freedom was already put into a hole when it found out in pregame warm ups that starting quarterback Joe Young couldn’t go. Jonah Gundrum did his best when called upon, but was sacked six times during the game and never had time to make plays.

A 67-yard pass from wide-receiver Alec Huertas to Brennan Reinert was the only scoring the Patriots did. They amassed 133 yards of total offense.

But just as Freedom thought it had built momentum heading into halftime, Parkland opened the second half by going on a 10-play 80 yard drive capped by another DiGirolamo touchdown, his second of three on the night.

Cross put the game away midway through the third quarter with a 52-yard dash for a touchdown and a 31-7 advantage. He rushed 11 times for 102 yards and the two touchdowns, and completed 12 of his 15 passes for 188 yards.

DiGirolamo added 91 yards and his three scores. Kenny Yeboah caught six passes for 125 yards. Zach Bross (3-for-23) and Carrick Panella (2-for-32) each had multible receptions.

Parkland (7-1 overall, 5-1 EPC) handed Freedom (7-1, 5-1) its first loss last year and is now tied for first place in the EPC South Division.