As head coach Jason Roeder clutched the trophy representing the first District XI football championship in Freedom’s history, he reflected on the win.

“We crossed the finish line tonight. We had to cross the finish line for a lot of guys who came close,” he said. “And we crossed the finish line for a lot of guys who didn’t come close, but who still played their hearts out for Freedom football year-in and year-out.”

In the previous two seasons, the Patriots players had finished the season with silver medals around their necks after falling to Parkland in the championship games. This year, they took out the Trojans in the district semifinals on their way to finally wearing gold.

Senior Tristan Wheeler had a monster game, making plays all over the field on both sides of the ball. He spoke on what winning the championship meant to him.

“It means more than anything,” Wheeler said. “It’s the top-ranked moment in my high school career. All the hard work paid off.”

Senior Rontay Dunbar, whose pick-six gave Freedom the momentum that they would never relinquish, described the play in detail.

“Thanks to Darryl (Shands), he pushed him and I saw the quarterback’s eyes looking to number 22 and I just jumped it,” Dunbar said. “The ball fell into my and hands I took it to the house.”

Although Wheeler and Dunbar made the spectacular plays on defense, it took a total team effort to hold an Emmaus team that had averaged over 40 points per game to less than half that. Despite having two highly-touted running backs and a dual threat QB, the Green Hornets averaged less than 2.5 yards per rushing attempt.

Jalen Stewart was clearly the offensive star of the game with his 181 yards rushing and four touchdowns, but other players made important contributions. Matthew Russin provided an early spark in the running game, going for 75 yards on 12 carries. QB Jared Jenkins was an efficient 9-of-12 passing for 140 yards and no interceptions. He also had some key scrambles and designed runs leading to 36 yards rushing.

Of course none of those things are possible without the stellar play of the offensive line. Roeder praised the efforts of his big guys.

“It starts with the boys up front. To be able to run the ball the way they did and to protect the passer,” he said. “That’s the group, let’s face it, that never gets enough credit. It starts with them and the skill guys took over from there.”