Freeport football team clinches playoff spot, stomps East Allegheny

By: Ted Sarneso
Friday, October 18, 2024 | 10:25 PM

Freeport knew what was on the line Friday against East Allegheny Friday night. Win, and it would be in the playoffs. Lose, and the picture would get muddy.

From the jump, the Yellowjackets were determined to make it to the playoffs for a 34th time after missing out on the postseason last year.

“These kids were really young last year, they still are, but we really grew this year,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said.

Freeport (7-2, 4-1) got two touchdowns from special teams in route to a 42-15 win over Class 3A Allegheny 7 Conference foe East Allegheny (1-8, 1-5) at Joseph Churchman Memorial Stadium in North Versailles.

Sophomore wide receiver Danny King took the opening kickoff 90 yards untouched down the sideline to open the game, and junior Amos Glenn ran back a punt for 50 yards in the fourth quarter.

“That was a huge kick return,” Gaillot said. “The kids were fired up after that, and I think it deserves pizza and Dairy Queen ice cream.”

Freeport’s offense was efficient in the first half, scoring a touchdown on its first three possessions.

“We orchestrated a couple of real long drives, which was nice,” Gaillot said. “With our quarterback and receivers, it’s a very good offense and a very good fit for us. I’m proud of our boys and how they’ve performed this entire year.”

Freeport only scored on one offensive possession in the second half but got the huge punt return from junior running back Amos Glenn.

“When I swung to the right and saw the wall my teammates were setting up with only one defender, my eyes got real big,” Glenn said. “I knew I was going to score.”

Amos finished with 18 carries for 92 yards and one rushing touchdown to go with the punt return.

The Yellowjackets defense did a terrific job shutting down a talented East Allegheny offense and forcing quarterback Cedric Mack Jr. into three interceptions.

“We take pride in our defense, and defensive coordinator Todd Durant is outstanding,” Gaillot said. “We don’t like when people score against us. Durant came up with a great plan. Our kids were resilient tonight. Mack is two dimensional, and they are a very athletic team.”

Linebackers Bryson Paga, Camden Schlegel and quarterback Drew Ross were the ones to pick off Mack.

Freeport’s opening drive saw Ross and Glenn powering the offense with their legs as the Yellowjackets went 73 yards and finished with a 1-yard touchdown run from Ross.

After Paga’s interception, Ross found senior Sean Selinger for a 30-yard pass down the seam, and junior Dawson Gaillot punched it in from the 2-yard line.

Freeport started its third drive once again in East Allegheny territory after a botched fake punt.

Ross ran the ball for three times and passed twice for 18 yards. The drive started with a Glenn 3-yard run, and he finished it with a 4-yard score, giving Freeport a 28-7 lead.

The Yellowjackets signal-caller passed for 95 yards and a touchdown on 6 of 8 attempts and ran for 45 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

“We did great offensively,” Glenn said. “There are still some mistakes that need correcting, but we’re improving every week. Our lineman and receivers blocked great, and our Ross did an amazing job.”

East Allegheny answered Freeport’s opening kickoff with a five-play drive highlighted by a 50-yard pass from Mack to junior wide receiver Chris Portis. Mack found junior Damarjae Warren on a rollout pass at the front corner of the end zone for the only Wildcat points in the first half.

The Wildcats offense put together just one long drive at the end of the first half. It lasted 13 plays and positioned the Wildcats at the Freeport 26-yard line. They couldn’t capitalize, and East Allegheny finished the half 0 for 3 on fourth down.

“First half the line was doing great, and I was staying poised and confident,” Mack said. “We just need to work harder and come back stronger.”

Mack was the one bright spot for East Allegheny, throwing for 185 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions on 8 of 19 passing.

In the second half, the Wildcats started to run the ball more. Marshall ran for 8 yards, Mack for a couple and Raemar Sims had a 12-yard gain. On first down at Freeport’s 42-yard line Mack was picked off by Schlegel.

Freeport took over, and Glenn rattled off runs of 29 and 21 yards and Ross found Selinger for a 5-yard touchdown pass to put the Yellowjackets up 35-7.

The Wildcats got a second touchdown with four minutes to go in the game when Mack found Warren for a 51-yard throw and catch.

It was another tough loss after a big win last week for the Wildcats.

“Next year we’ll have a lot to prove,” Mack said. “We’re all juniors, with only a few seniors, and we’ll continue to move forward next year.”

Tags: East Allegheny, Freeport