Freedom’s Daniel Schiffert might be more well known for his prowess as a rugged lineman on the football field, but as the District 11 3A wrestling tournament gets underway this weekend, Schiffert is also known as a defending district champion.

Schiffert will highlight the Patriot contingent at Liberty’s Memorial Gymnasium this weekend when the first step towards the march to Hershey gets underway.

The senior heavyweight enters with a 21-1 mark and is a returning PIAA qualifier.

He is Freedom’s top gun entering the postseason and head coach Tyler Greene is hoping he isn’t the only Pate that qualifies for the Northeast Regional tournament.

“I’m expecting our two-to-three guys that have been consistent all year to have a dominant weekend,” said Greene. “I hope we have another two guys to wrestle their best and send five total to regionals.

Junior Nicholas Lyden (152) is Greene’s other top hopeful to place in the top five to advance to regionals. Lyden took fifth at districts last year and is 20-4 on the season.

The rest of the Freedom contingent includes Anthony Haas (107); Jack Scanlan (114); Shane Getz (121); Michael Messa (127); Lucas Ellis (133); Samuel Kurtz (139); Anthony Crisafulli (145); Dominick Aurin (160); Marvin Rodriguez (172) and Thomas Crisafulli (189).

“We’ve had time to recover and go through a few training cycles,” said Greene of the team’s prep since the end of the regular season. “Just want to make sure everyone is fine tuned and peaking during the end of the season.”