Freeport dominates Derry, improves to 2-0

By: John Phillips
Friday, August 29, 2025 | 10:33 PM

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Freeport and Derry entered Friday night’s matchup coming off impressive season-opening wins.

Something had to give. And it was Derry that buckled, as the Yellowjackets prevailed 49-6.

It didn’t take long for Amos Glenn to continue his strong start to the season, scoring from 25 yards out 1 minute, 11 seconds into the game.

For Freeport (2-0), it was once again the rushing attack that led the way for longtime coach John Gaillot, who saw his team score touchdowns on its first two possessions of the opening quarter. Senior quarterback Drew Ross found the end zone with just under 2 minutes to play on a 7-yard romp to increase the lead to 14-0.

“Our offensive line was spectacular,” said Gaillot. “They really stepped up from last week. We have to clean up the penalties, but I’m very proud of how our line blocked and made some holes.”

For the visiting Trojans (1-1), their rushing performance of a week prior against Ligonier Valley didn’t carry over as the Derry offensive line had trouble opening holes, while junior quarterback Anthony Sacco had little time to throw on most occasions.

Freeport continued to move the ball in the second quarter with a mix of run and pass plays, with Ross using his legs to convert a third-and-15 with a cross-field scamper for 16 to extend the team’s third drive of the night. He finished the series with a nifty 23-yard TD pass to senior wide receiver Owen Neistein, who beat a double team in the far-right corner of the end zone to extend the lead to 21-0.

“As a dual-threat quarterback, you have to do things, running and passing,” Ross said. “I was throwing an out; I was able to get outside and make my read. The corner sat a little bit, so I put it up top to Owen and he made a great grab.”

The game featured multiple 15-yard infractions by both teams in the first half. Freeport paid the price for that when the Trojans capitalized in the second quarter with their first scoring drive, as Max Doherty, a junior running back, finished the series with a 17-yard romp through the teeth of the Jackets defense. A blocked extra-point made the score 21-6.

Derry then dipped into its bag of tricks with a well-executed onside kick it recovered. Unfortunately for Trojans coach Mike Arone, his club could not convert and had to punt.

With 1:17 left in the half, the Yellowjackets marched down the field in just a minute as Ross found Glenn open down the middle for a 30-yard touchdown pass and a 28-6 lead at the half. The stats reflected the score as Ross had 68 yards rushing and a score while throwing for 120 yards. Glenn combined for 122 total yards and a pair of TDs.

Derry came out strong in the third as Doherty lumbered for a 44-yard gain. The Trojans, however, got as far as the Freeport 28 when Sacco threw a pass across the middle that found the hands of his QB counterpart Ross, who was playing in the secondary. Eighty yards later, it was 35-6 Yellowjackets.

“He’s a playmaker,” said Gaillot. “That pick-6, I think it was the sixth or seventh of his career here. He was well balanced tonight.”

Glenn capped his night off on the Jackets next series with a 1-yard score. His 14th carry of the game pushed his rushing yards on the night to 93 and a 42-6 Freeport advantage.

Freeport visits Quaker Valley next week for another inter-conference fray. Derry will visit Deer Lakes.

Tags: Derry Area, Freeport