Liberty finally did what it needed to in order to get the win: finish.

The Patriots got a six-yard touchdown run from Tei Staladi to take a 16-14 lead over Juanita Friday night, with one minute and 34 seconds left.

“We finished,” said Liberty coach Steve Valach. “This was a great example of that. We gave up a huge play, but it’s not over. You’ve got to finish.”

Liberty (2-3 overall, 2-1 KingCo 3A/2A) led early in each of its three losses this season. The Patriots also led most of the way Friday night until Juanita’s (2-3, 1-2) Travis Marshall broke a run open and scored from 50 yards out in the fourth quarter. That touchdown put the Rebels ahead, 14-10, for the first time in the game.

So Liberty got the ball back on their own 20-yard line with two minutes and 21 seconds left, facing the four-point deficit.

The Patriots caught a break when Juanita committed two personal fouls on a play, moving the ball ahead 30 yards. But after a sack and two incompletions, Liberty was facing a fourth down with 21 yards to go. At that point Jordan West completed a pass to Josh Gordon for 48 yards. The play was partially called back due to holding, which left Liberty with a fourth and one. Staladi ran for 34 yards on the play, and scored his second touchdown of the game the next play.

“I did all I could and my line blocked really well,” Staladi said.

Staladi’s first touchdown came in the first quarter, from five yards out. Liberty’s Josh Johnson made a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter. Juanita’s Darrin Laufasa scored on a 64-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

The Patriots were in danger of falling behind in the playoff hunt with another loss, something that loomed on the minds of the team’s seniors.

“We were just thinking the season is over if we don’t get it,” said senior lineman Colton Jensen. “We battled back and we finished.”

Liberty plays at Lake Washington (2-3, 0-3) Oct. 7.