Playoff future in the balance for Knoch, Freeport in Allegheny 6 clash

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 8:14 PM

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Eight and a half miles separate Knoch and Freeport high schools.

But the history between the schools, including the Knights and Yellowjackets athletic teams, is much closer.

Athletes on both sides know each other well from growing up next door, and each season builds on the tradition from past matchups.

The Knoch and Freeport football teams add a chapter to the rivalry Friday at Knoch Knights Stadium. It is a game not only for bragging rights, but it is crucial for where each team hopes to be in the Allegheny 6 standings when the final horn sounds.

“Many years, this game has come down to the last play, and you always see guys step up and make big plays,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said. “There are always great crowds, and I expect nothing less here on Friday. There are a lot of ties between the schools. Everyone is really looking forward to this game.”

Knoch hopes to flip the script from last year when Freeport rolled to a 42-0 victory behind the now-graduated Ben Lane’s three touchdown runs and two TD passes from fellow graduate Gavin Croney.

The Yellowjackets have won the last three games in the series, capturing a 28-14 victory in 2021 and a 34-31 decision in 2019.

Knoch defeated Freeport at Knights Stadium, 26-7, in 2018.

The 2020 game was not played in the midst of scheduling changes because of the ongoing covid pandemic.

For Freeport, Friday’s game is big as it hopes to keep its playoff aspirations alive.

“I think this is the most amped up we’ve been all season knowing the rivalry we’ve had with Knoch over the years and also what a win means for us at this point,” senior wideout and defensive back Brady Sullivan said. “We’re still pretty confident with what we can do. It’s just little mistakes in games that put us out of a game. If we can clean some of those things up, I really like our chances.”

The Yellowjackets opened conference play with a tough 31-28 loss to Shady Side Academy on Sept. 29. Gailliot said there was frustration as his team had a number of chances to pull that game out after rallying from a pair of double-digit deficits.

Last week against East Allegheny, the Wildcats jumped out to a 28-0 lead and prevented any Yellowjackets comeback.

Sophomore quarterback Drew Ross tallied a 1-yard touchdown run, his second such score in as many games, to get Freeport on the board. But it was not able to get closer in the second half as East Allegheny came away with the 28-7 win.

The top four teams from the Allegheny 6 earn a spot in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs. Knoch and East Allegheny lead the way at 2-0 in the three-game sprint to the finish.

Deer Lakes and Shady Side Academy are 1-1, and Freeport and Valley, which takes on Shady Side Academy on Friday, are 0-2.

Knoch returns to the field after an unexpected week off. Its game Friday with Shady Side Academy was called off when illness affected several members of the Bulldogs team. Shady Side officials determined the team was unable to play, and the game went down as a forfeit win for the Knights.

“Friday was, obviously, pretty disappointing for the guys when we told them,” Knoch coach Tim Burchett said. “No one was pumping their fists and celebrating. They worked hard to get ready for the game and wanted to go out and earn a win on the field against a good Shady Side team. They always want to measure themselves and see where they are in the conference. Also, high school football games are valuable, and you only get so many.

“But we turned the page and came in Saturday ready to refocus for Freeport. The guys are excited to get back to playing and hopefully taking that next step towards the goal of a conference title.”

Gaillot said he, his coaches, and the players saw Knoch’s offensive firepower and balance on display as they reviewed the film of the Knights’ 41-21 victory over Deer Lakes from Sept. 29.

Knoch scored touchdowns scored on five straight possessions against the Lancers.

Ethan Alwine had three touchdowns and rushed for 97 yards, and Codi Mullen had 154 yards passing, 88 yards rushing and accounted for two touchdowns.

“Knoch is a very athletic team,” Gaillot said. “Their quarterback, (Codi) Mullen, and their receivers are always on the same page. I know they lost their tailback, but the one that is in there now, he hasn’t missed a beat. Their offensive and defensive lines are stellar. They have a very good football team, and it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”

Burchett said Freeport always has the potential to break out offensively with the passing and running of Drew Ross, the pass-catching ability of Sullivan, and the running of senior tailback Colton Otterman.

“Freeport is a good football team,” Burchett said. “If the bounces go their way, they are sitting in another way this week, but Freeport is Freeport to us. They play very aggressively on both sides of the ball, and they always have a sound defense under coach (Todd) Durand. We simply have to come out ready to play.

“We’re both a stone’s throw away from each other, and these rivalry games can take on a life if their own. We have to go into it with the thought that both teams are 0-0. We’re trying to go 1-0 this week. Last year, we came into this game needing to win two of three to make the playoffs, and that is where Freeport is this year.

“Anything can happen and usually does in a game like this.”

Head to head

Here’s a look at the last 10 meetings between Freeport and Knoch:

2022: Freeport 42, Knoch 0

2021: Freeport 28, Knoch 14

2019: Freeport 34, Knoch 31

2018: Knoch 26, Freeport 7

2005: Knoch 14, Freeport 7

2004: Freeport 16, Knoch 0

1979: Knoch 10, Freeport 0 (WPIAL playoffs)

1979: Knoch 7, Freeport 7 (regular season)

1978: Freeport 14, Knoch 13

1977: Freeport 0, Knoch 0

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Freeport, Knoch