This is the time of year where Jason Roeder likes his team to be gearing up with their best football ahead of them.

The Pates are making that case heading down the home stretch, as they’ve won their last four games to improve to 5-3 following last week’s 35-14 victory over Northampton.

Lashawn Johnson returned to action to help Freedom’s run game last week, rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns against Northampton.

Michael Stofanak might have had his best game as quarterback for the Pates, completing 13-of-19 for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Davyan Moore took home the most from Stofanak, hauling in six catches for 137 yards and two scores.

After an undefeated stretch of four games, Roeder knows how important getting confidence late in the season can be for a team.

“Getting quality wins the last few weeks has been huge for our guys,” said Roeder. “We were 1-3 and able to keep it together. We just kept coming back to work everyday to try and get better. It’s week nine and we put ourselves back into relevant games.”

None are more relevant than this week’s showdown at Easton, with the undefeated Rovers (8-0) on the agenda.

Easton escaped an upset bid by Liberty in last week’s 23-20 victory, their closest game this season, and the Pates understand they’ll have their hands full with perhaps the most complete team in the area.

“Easton’s balance and trying to contain their quarterback are the biggest challenges,” said Roeder. “[Cole] Ordway is one of the top football players in the area and he’s going to touch the ball on every play.”

Liberty (5-3) limited Ordway’s presence through the air last week, as he only completed 4-of-11 throws for 51 yards and an interception. He did score two rushing touchdowns, but only mustered 73 yards on the ground last week. Chris Martinez added 121 yards rushing to pace the Rovers a week ago, but Liberty was able to limit their high scoring offense.

Liberty fell behind 17-0 last week before scoring 20 unanswered points, punctuated by a 23-yard touchdown reception by Christian Contakes in the third quarter to put the Hurricanes ahead 20-17.

Ordway’s second TD of the night, a five-yard score in the fourth quarter, was the eventual winner, but Liberty proved they can play with anyone.

They now look to shake off a two-game losing streak with a massive showdown Friday night at BASD Stadium against Bethlehem Catholic (5-3). The Hawks have also lost two straight games, including last week’s 41-33 defeat to Nazareth.

Both teams are desperate to get off the losing side of things and for the Hurricanes, it gives them a fighting chance at the city title with their Freedom rivalry a week away.