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The Rivalry Game: Battle at BASD Stadium Bethlehem, Liberty Hurricanes vs Freedom Patriots, Game Preview

Tagged under: District 11, News, pfn

| October 24, 2025

The Rivalry Game at BASD Stadium

The Freedom Patriots are ready for a storm named Liberty Hurricanes Saturday afternoon, in The Rivalry Game at BASD Stadium in the annual battle between cross-town rivals. This game is huge for both student bodies, fans of each team and the city of Bethlehem waits for all year, regardless of the team’s records, BASD Stadium will be packed and rocking. not only from the people but two great bands who put on a combined halftime show that for me is the best of the season and fitting for a rivalry like this one. And don’t forget all former player coaches and Alumni will have BASD jumping.

The Patriots coached by Jason Roeder are 5-4 on the season and coming off a tuff loss to Easton who is 9-0, and Freedom held the Red Rovers to the lowest point total of their season. And although Coach Roeder doesn’t count moral victories, to be in position to win that game against a quality opponent on their field is a plus for his team knowing they can compete with the better teams in the EPC and the state. Especially after the way their season started, going 1-3 before going on a 4-game win streak.

The Hurricanes coached by Shawn Daignault are 6-3 on the season and are coming off a win over the other Bethlehem school Bethlehem Catholic 35-20 last week. Coach Daignault’s team was got a win after back-to-back losses to Nazareth in a shootout 42-52 and tested Easton in a 20-23 loss. After a loss to Pennridge now 8-1 to start the season, the hurricanes reeled off 5 straight wins on the way too putting themselves in the playoffs.

Both teams have quality players and key contributors on both offense and defense, from all levels. Underclassmen and seniors, and for seniors this will be their last opportunity to participate in this classic rivalry. For Freedom names like WR/DB Xavier DeJesus, WR/DB Geovanny Ledee, RB/LB Abraham Pla, WR/DB Kellan Binstead, TE/DE Jacob Hauze. For Liberty names like QB Antonio Fontanez, RB Adriaan Deleon, TE/LB Javian Pujals, WR/S Jake Pukszyn, RB Gabe Green, OL/DL Nick Schenkel. This game means alot to all the players, but for the seniors that I mentioned and those I didn’t, it’s not just another game. This is the Rivalry Game and with it comes bragging right that last a lifetime.

But for the coaches and their staffs, this is the last game of the regular season, a win could be a tie breaker for seeding in the playoffs and get some momentum on their side. Liberty’s high-powered offense, led by Antonio Fontanez directing traffic in the backfield. He can air it out and has 28 TD passes on the season, 13 of those to Jake Pukszyn and 9 to junior Zyaire Davis. Fontanez is averaging 26yds on the ground with Gabe Green 75yds per game and Adriaan Deleon 32yds per game sharing the carries. The Hurricanes defense has done the job, including holding Easton and Cole Ordway to only 23points. Javian Pujals is avg 8.2 tackles per game, Adriaan Deleon 7 and Mekkhi McKenzie 6.4.

Freedom’s offense is led by QB Michael Stefanak, the junior has 1206yds passing on the season and 13 for TDS with only 7 interceptions. The majority of the yards and TDS going to Xavier DeJesus 268yds, 2TDS, Davyan Moore 372yds, 5TDS and Jacob Hauze 190yds, 2TDS. The Patriots ground attack is led by junior Leshawn Johnson 822yds 9TDS, Abraham Pla 325yds 4TDS and Jahaire Hughes 243yds 5TDS. Freedom’s stingy defense had many key contributors including, Reshaun Jones 44 tackles, Brian Renshaw 37 tackles, Xavier DeJesus 31 tackles, Marquise Chapman 29 tackles, Evan Wahba 28 and Jacob Hauze 22 tackles.

So, for me this game is between Freedom’s defense and Liberty’s offense. I think the Patriots offense and the Hurricanes defense cancel each other out. As for who I think is going to win The Rivalry Game. I really think, that with all the emotion that will be in BASD Stadium on Saturday, this game is a tossup.

Caught up with Coaches Roeder and Daignault about the game

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