Last Meeting: Jared Jenkins threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 75 yards in a 21-18 win by Freedom. Parkland scored with 7 minutes left to cut Freedom’s lead to three, but the Patriots never gave the ball back, with a brutal, clock killing drive to end the game in victory formation. However, neither Nick Dawkins nor Dante Medlar played for Parkland.
Last Week: Freedom pulled away from Emmaus, rushing for five touchdowns in a 42-21 win, while Parkland throttled Stroudsburg for what seems like the 100th straight year in the first round of districts.
Parkland (9-2)
Head Coach: Tim Moncman (Career Record: 139-58 overall; 39-12 at Parkland)
Last D11 Title: 2017
D11 Finals History (bold – won): 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Passing: Ty Tremba (So.) 56-99, 943 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing: Isiah Rico (Jr.): 187 carries, 1,108 yards, 14 TDs
Receiving: Nick Johnston (Sr.): 37 catches, 645 yards, 6 TDs
Defense: Angel Santos (Sr.): 86 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 sacks,
Trojan Offense: Parkland has really come alive down the stretch with the switch to sophomore quarterback Ty Tremba. He’s a run/pass threat with atypical maturity for a 10th grader. They don’t run particularly complex schemes, but execute well and are really physical on the offensive line. The headliner is Penn State commit Nick Dawkins, who missed some time with injury but has been a mauler since returning to the lineup. They have a big, physical pair of backs in Isiah Rico and Angel Santos and grind in power option sets with Tremba, then hit play action. Nick Johnston is a little, speedy slot receiver who is their big play threat.
Trojan Defense: Another tough, physical Tim Moncman group. Parkland’s strength is their front seven, with the league’s best set up linebackers and a disruptive defensive line. Ja-Lon Perkins is their best defender, a 255 pound defensive end who is bound for the Ivy League next season. He missed a bunch of games in the middle of the year, but has been healthy down the stretch and is a force. Defensive tackle Zion Johnston and Jared Fenstermaker do a great job of freeing up Angel Santos, Dante Medlar, and Angel Ramos to fly around – particularly in stopping the run. The Trojans are a little vulnerable in the secondary, but make up for that by trying to get to the quarterback and cause havoc.
Freedom (10-1)
Head Coach: Jason Roeder (Career Record: 104-66)
Last D11 Title: 2018
D11 Finals History (bold – won): 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018
Passing: Jared Jenkins (Sr. 6’1 195): 136-196, 2,207 yards, 23 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing: Jalen Stewart (Sr. 5’11 225): 148 carries, 1,245 yards, 17 TDs
Receiving: Gabe Caton: 37 catches, 761 yards, 7 TDs
Patriots Offense: Freedom has the most balance in District 11 and that is a big reason why there are a favorite in this tournament. It starts with senior quarterback Jared Jenkins, a three year starter and two year captain who is being recruited by Patriot League and Ivy League schools. He is a smart kid and a great decision maker who takes care of the football and has the arm strength to stretch the field. He has a pair of senior receivers, Gabe Caton and Vince Reph, who are big targets with sure hands. The running game is a thunder and lightning situation, with Jalen Stewart as a tough, bowling ball of a runner between the tackles, while Matty Russin is a speedster who they will move all over the formation to get the ball in space. They have combined for close to 1,900 rushing yards on the season. Russin is also a threat to catch the ball. Finally, the offensive line has been a strength, led by Bowling Green commit Kaden Moore at left tackle.
Patriots Defense: In their run in the back half of the decade, Freedom has made their money with a ball hawking defense. This squad isn’t quite as good on that side of the ball, but they are still one of the better defenses in District 11. Jalen Stewart is the headliner here. While he’s a good high school running back, he’s a GREAT high school linebacker. He’s built like a college player, but athletic enough to be able to play in space. He’ll be a really good FCS player. Moore is a difference maker on the defensive line, as is fellow defensive end Elogi Kabui. Reph, Russin, and Caton all play in the secondary that is more rangy than fast. Freedom is the best tackling team in the conference.
The Match Up: A depleted Parkland squad took Freedom to the wire in week 3. They are a trendy pick to win it this week, based on their red hot 7 game winning streak and the health of Dawkins, who is the league’s most dominant player and makes a huge difference. The battle to me is the Parkland offensive line versus the Freedom defensive line. Kabui and Moore are huge (6’5 245 and 6’3 310) and can match up with the Trojans bulk up front like few teams can. If they can create interior pressure on Tremba, the young quarterback might come back to Earth. But if the Parkland line can dominate like it has down the stretch, they can keep the ball away from a really good Freedom offense.
The Pick: At the end of the day, I think Freedom’s balance on offense makes them the best team. Stewart is also the type of tough, between the tackles back who can have success against the Parkland defense, particularly if Jenkins is opening up the box by completing passes downfield. Particularly with Freedom giving a point and a half, I’m happy to lay my money on a home underdog that I think should win outright.
Freedom 28-17
Last Week: Freedom pulled away from Emmaus, rushing for five touchdowns in a 42-21 win, while Parkland throttled Stroudsburg for what seems like the 100th straight year in the first round of districts.
Parkland (9-2)
Head Coach: Tim Moncman (Career Record: 139-58 overall; 39-12 at Parkland)
Last D11 Title: 2017
D11 Finals History (bold – won): 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Passing: Ty Tremba (So.) 56-99, 943 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing: Isiah Rico (Jr.): 187 carries, 1,108 yards, 14 TDs
Receiving: Nick Johnston (Sr.): 37 catches, 645 yards, 6 TDs
Defense: Angel Santos (Sr.): 86 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 sacks,
Trojan Offense: Parkland has really come alive down the stretch with the switch to sophomore quarterback Ty Tremba. He’s a run/pass threat with atypical maturity for a 10th grader. They don’t run particularly complex schemes, but execute well and are really physical on the offensive line. The headliner is Penn State commit Nick Dawkins, who missed some time with injury but has been a mauler since returning to the lineup. They have a big, physical pair of backs in Isiah Rico and Angel Santos and grind in power option sets with Tremba, then hit play action. Nick Johnston is a little, speedy slot receiver who is their big play threat.
Trojan Defense: Another tough, physical Tim Moncman group. Parkland’s strength is their front seven, with the league’s best set up linebackers and a disruptive defensive line. Ja-Lon Perkins is their best defender, a 255 pound defensive end who is bound for the Ivy League next season. He missed a bunch of games in the middle of the year, but has been healthy down the stretch and is a force. Defensive tackle Zion Johnston and Jared Fenstermaker do a great job of freeing up Angel Santos, Dante Medlar, and Angel Ramos to fly around – particularly in stopping the run. The Trojans are a little vulnerable in the secondary, but make up for that by trying to get to the quarterback and cause havoc.
Freedom (10-1)
Head Coach: Jason Roeder (Career Record: 104-66)
Last D11 Title: 2018
D11 Finals History (bold – won): 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018
Passing: Jared Jenkins (Sr. 6’1 195): 136-196, 2,207 yards, 23 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing: Jalen Stewart (Sr. 5’11 225): 148 carries, 1,245 yards, 17 TDs
Receiving: Gabe Caton: 37 catches, 761 yards, 7 TDs
Patriots Offense: Freedom has the most balance in District 11 and that is a big reason why there are a favorite in this tournament. It starts with senior quarterback Jared Jenkins, a three year starter and two year captain who is being recruited by Patriot League and Ivy League schools. He is a smart kid and a great decision maker who takes care of the football and has the arm strength to stretch the field. He has a pair of senior receivers, Gabe Caton and Vince Reph, who are big targets with sure hands. The running game is a thunder and lightning situation, with Jalen Stewart as a tough, bowling ball of a runner between the tackles, while Matty Russin is a speedster who they will move all over the formation to get the ball in space. They have combined for close to 1,900 rushing yards on the season. Russin is also a threat to catch the ball. Finally, the offensive line has been a strength, led by Bowling Green commit Kaden Moore at left tackle.
Patriots Defense: In their run in the back half of the decade, Freedom has made their money with a ball hawking defense. This squad isn’t quite as good on that side of the ball, but they are still one of the better defenses in District 11. Jalen Stewart is the headliner here. While he’s a good high school running back, he’s a GREAT high school linebacker. He’s built like a college player, but athletic enough to be able to play in space. He’ll be a really good FCS player. Moore is a difference maker on the defensive line, as is fellow defensive end Elogi Kabui. Reph, Russin, and Caton all play in the secondary that is more rangy than fast. Freedom is the best tackling team in the conference.
The Match Up: A depleted Parkland squad took Freedom to the wire in week 3. They are a trendy pick to win it this week, based on their red hot 7 game winning streak and the health of Dawkins, who is the league’s most dominant player and makes a huge difference. The battle to me is the Parkland offensive line versus the Freedom defensive line. Kabui and Moore are huge (6’5 245 and 6’3 310) and can match up with the Trojans bulk up front like few teams can. If they can create interior pressure on Tremba, the young quarterback might come back to Earth. But if the Parkland line can dominate like it has down the stretch, they can keep the ball away from a really good Freedom offense.
The Pick: At the end of the day, I think Freedom’s balance on offense makes them the best team. Stewart is also the type of tough, between the tackles back who can have success against the Parkland defense, particularly if Jenkins is opening up the box by completing passes downfield. Particularly with Freedom giving a point and a half, I’m happy to lay my money on a home underdog that I think should win outright.
Freedom 28-17
