It wasn't the 277 rushing yards his defense allowed or the 17-7 loss his team suffered that Freedom coach James Harrell said he will remember most about Friday night. It's a much more positive note that immediately came to mind.
The Patriots may have just arrived.
"This year we were just happy to be here," Harrell said of his team's Class 5A regional quarterfinal playoff loss at Countryside. "Next year we want to get back here and get some wins.
"This is just the beginning for us."
Despite the Cougars' 32-16 advantage in first-half offensive plays, Freedom (7-3) trailed just 3-0. In fact, the Patriots took the lead on the opening drive of the third quarter when senior QB Tyler Guy hit T.J. Mutcherson with a 30-yard TD pass.
After Freedom missed a field goal attempt, the Cougars (10-1) took command.
Alton Taylor, who finished with 219 yards on 31 carries, keyed a 12-play, 80-yard drive that gave Countryside the lead for good when Terry Johnson scored from the 14. Taylor then scored from the 9 with less than two minutes left and the best season in Freedom history was over.
Freedom0070-7C'side03014-17 C - FG Griswold 40
F - Mutcherson 30 pass from Guy (Landeta kick)
C - Johnson 14 run (Griswold kick)
C - Taylor 9 run (Griswold kick)
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