The Liberty High football team may have let this game slip away.
The Patriots led host Mililani of Hawaii 16-0 after the first quarter Friday but surrendered three straight touchdowns to open the second half and lost 34-22.
Liberty scored on its initial possession when Edward Gastelum took a short pass from Kanyon Stoneking and raced 57 yards for a touchdown, according to Hawaii Prep World. The Patriots scored a defensive touchdown with 2:08 to play in the first quarter when Donte Bowers Jr. returned an interception 27 yards for a score.
Liberty converted 2-point conversion attempts after each touchdown for a 16-0 lead.
But the Patriots only mustered a pair of field goals the remainder of the game, kicks of 39 and 36 yards from Dillon Fedor.
Mililani pulled ahead thanks to three straight touchdowns, including one possession when they took over at the Liberty 4-yard line after a turnover.
Liberty, which has one of the toughest schedules in the nation, falls to 0-2 on the season. The Patriots, though, were competitive in each game, and arguably a bounce or two away from a different outcome.
They have another chance for a marquee win next week when they play California power St. John Bosco in the Polynesian Classic at Bishop Gorman.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21