The Parkland High School football team needed some type of spark.

The Trojans found themselves ahead just 12-7 in the third quarter of a low-scoring defensive battle. They received that spark on special teams of all places.

Naquan Thomason broke through the protection on a Patriots punt, smothered the attempted kick, retrieved the loose ball, and then scrambled 18 yards for what proved to be the clinching touchdown for the Trojans with 7:03 left in the third quarter as they took down Freedom 18-7 Friday night at Parkland School District Stadium in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and home opener.

It was all the scoring Parkland had done during the final three quarters, but it was all that it needed as the defense forced three turnovers and only allowed just a second-quarter touchdown run on its way to a revenge win, as Freedom won this matchup week two last season.

The Trojans are 2-0 overall and have not scored more than 19 points yet, defeating George Washington 19-6 in the opener on the road last week.

Parkland got on the scoreboard first thanks to a 13-yard run by Liam Spang on their opening possession.

The defense then followed that up with a Nassim Adams interception on the third play of the Patriots’ first drive. The Trojans were able to capitalize on the turnover, finishing a 30-yard drive on quarterback Finn Coen’s five-yard pass to Jaren Sanchez for a 12-0 lead through the opening quarter.

The lead was cut to five when Lashawn Johnson, who had 117 yards on 19 carries, broke loose for a 50-yard touchdown run and Nathan Stannard added the PAT with 6:22 to go until halftime.

From that point on, the Trojans defense stepped up and did not allow another point, even when Freedom threatened. The Patriots had a first-and-goal opportunity from the 10 yard line late in the first half, but Dom Matrich jarred the ball loose from Patriots quarterback Michael Stofanak on a hard hit and Michael Car recovered the fumble.

TJ Lawrence finished with 57 yards on eight rushes and Thomason ran for 43 yards on 17 carries. Adams caught three passes for 23 yards. Sanchez led the defense with 10 total tackles, including a tackle for loss. Adams and Blake Nassry came away with interceptions.

Parkland hosts Northampton Friday night. The Kids are also 2-0 on the season.