A shutout loss to open the season wasn’t the start Liberty envisioned, but the Hurricanes believe the problems from their first game can be corrected as they prepare for another road test Friday night at Central Bucks East.

Liberty fell to Pennridge 35-0 last week, managing just eight first downs and 202 yards of total offense while committing two turnovers. The Hurricanes were held to 44 yards on the ground.

Despite the difficult night, Liberty head coach Shawn Daignault believes the gap between the two teams wasn’t as wide as the final score indicated.

“It’s never as good as you think and it’s never as bad as you think,” Daignault said. “We have a lot of work to do, but most of our issues Friday night are very fixable.”

Daignault pointed specifically to big plays in the passing game as a major difference.

“The difference in our games against Pennridge has always been just a few plays in our favor or against us,” he said. “If we don’t give up big plays in the passing game, that is a much more competitive game.”

Pennridge quarterback Aiden Tetowski completed only six passes, but threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns, connecting on two 60-plus yard scores and another 33-yard touchdown.

Liberty also received its first extended look at quarterback Alsaiah Gross, who completed 12 of 21 passes for 158 yards. Daignault acknowledged that inexperience as a whole contributed to the offensive struggles and believes the Hurricanes need to get back to the basics.

“Inexperience was definitely an issue,” Daignault said. “We need a return to fundamentals this week.”

That will be particularly important against a Central Bucks East team Daignault expects to provide another difficult challenge.

The Hurricanes will be looking to avoid an 0-2 start, but Daignault isn’t overcomplicating what he wants from his team.

“They are always well coached,” he said. “Aggressive defensive team. Their running back is one of the best in the state, but we need to focus on the fundamentals. We want to be simple and play fast.”