Twice As Nice: Liberty Bests Freedom for Second Week in a Row

Tagged under: District 11, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

Cody Brady | November 2, 2025

Freedom v Liberty TV by PAFootball Newsdotcom

Saturday afternoon at BASD Stadium it was the same matchup and same result as Liberty overcame Freedom to advance in the District XI playoffs, besting them for the second consecutive week. Jake Pukszyn played one of the key roles, scoring once and picking off a Mike Stofanak pass in the third quarter to stall a drive deep into Liberty terriroy.

Freedom took the ball first and marched right down the field over the first 3:27 of the first quarter. Abraham Pla finished off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run and the Patriots had an early 7-0 lead. Freedom’s defense then forced a 4th & 11 punt.

But that punt was muffed, bouncing off of Aidan Dandrea and into the arms of the Hurricanes. Liberty took possession back on the Patriots 22. Jaxon Pierson appeared to bail Freedom out with an interception, but it was waved off on a roughing the passer call. Three plays later, Pukszyn caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Antonio Fontanez to tie the game at 7-7 with 1:45 left in the first quarter.

A game of close calls for Freedom continued. They drove to the Liberty 29, but an incompletion on 4th & 5 kept them from taking the lead. A six minute drive ended with no points to break the tie.

Liberty’s opening possession of the second quarter ate up over five minutes of the clock and this one ended in points. After Gabe Green converted a 2nd & 5, giving the Hurricanes 1st & Goal on the 5, Fontanez took it himself. The ten play drive covered 71 yards and Liberty led 13-7 after the extra point was no good.

A quick three-and-out for Freedom gave the ball back to Liberty late in the half. Fontanez expertly guided his team down the field with 1:12 remaining, completing numerous short and mid-range passes to ultimately cover 85 yards and overcome a sack. He connected with Jaxon Barlok in the back of the end zone with 12 seconds remaining to put Liberty up 20-7 at the break.

Freedom was poised to bounce back earlin the third, forcing a quick punt from their cross-town rival. But after Stofanak hit Jacob Hauze for 36 yards, he was picked off by a leaping Pukszyn who skied for the pick at the 8-yard line.

But Freedom forced another punt after three plays and only giving up two yards. The comeback attempt saw life, as the Patriots drove deep into Liberty territory one more time. But this time, a 4th & 3 incompletion at the 26 led to a turnover on downs and for the third time, Freedom came away with nothing after moving the ball between the 20s.

Liberty capitalized thee plays later. Fontanez eased back in the pocket under little to no pressure and fired one deep over the middle to Zyaire Davis. Davis broke away from his defender and the 56-yard touchdown hookup made it 26-7 Liberty with 10:58 to play.

Freedom’s next drive finally resulted in a score, but required 13 plays and just over five minutes of game time, which was not conducive to a three score deficit. Marquise Chapman was on the receiving end of a 5-yard touchdown completion, but with only 5:39 left and trailing 26-14, the outcome looked bleak for the Patriots. Despite forcing a punt and getting the ball back, a holding call would wipe away a big gain for Freedom late and Jake Pukszyn picked off Stofanak for the second time to ice the ballgame.

A 3rd & 2 offsides call against the Patriots coupled with a big Adriaan DeLeon 20-yard gain for first down cemented the victory for Liberty.

The Hurricanes advance to take on top-seeded Easton next Friday night at Cottingham Stadium in the District XI semifinals.

Follow LSV Sports on X: @LSVSports

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews