Freeport ‘just amazing’ in victory over rival Deer Lakes

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 8, 2017 | 11:42 PM

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Deer Lakes challenged Freeport's defense Friday night, continually pounding away at the Yellowjackets with runs up the middle.

But the Lancers' hammer couldn't break through the Yellowjackets' wall.

Freeport overcame Deer Lakes' keep-away with a game of duck-duck-goose egg, blanking the Lancers, 31-0, in a Class 3A Allegheny Conference contest Friday night at Lancers Stadium.

“They were just amazing,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said. “Our young kids just get better.”

Freeport (2-0, 1-0) finished with five sacks and forced two turnovers, including a fumble recovered by Garrett Schaffhauser in the end zone for a fourth-quarter touchdown.

The Yellowjackets held Deer Lakes to 53 rushing yards on 36 carries.

The defense held Deer Lakes at bay, and Freeport scored 28 second-half points — including 21 in the fourth quarter — to put the game away.

“We just kept blitzing almost every single play just to make sure they don't get any more big runs,” senior defensive lineman Austin Kemp said. “They got some big runs, but as a defense we had to stay together and make sure they didn't score at all.”

Deer Lakes spent much of the first three quarters in the wildcat formation with senior Josh Solomon taking the snaps, lowering his head and trying to find running room.

The strategy worked to a point, as the Lancers held a 33-13 edge in offensive plays at halftime. However, it also didn't result in any points. Freeport's Jake Sarver made a 36-yard field goal late in the first quarter for the lone score of the first half.

“You've got to put points up, and this is two weeks in a row where we had the ball and were in position to do something with it, and we didn't score,” Deer Lakes coach Steve Sciullo said. “It's disappointing. I feel every time we had momentum, we penalized ourselves and put ourselves in a hole. You can't do that in our conference and expect to win a game, especially with a team that has as many kids and the caliber of player of Freeport.”

Coming off a Week 1 bye, Freeport's well-rested defense held strong throughout the game, and the Yellowjackets eventually wore down Deer Lakes (0-2, 0-1).

“The first half, Deer Lakes was very strong up front,” Gaillot said. “We were hoping in the second half that maybe our conditioning would take over. Our kids kept their composure, and that's what I'm most proud of.”

The game between the local rivals got chippy, with trash talk exchanged and penalty flags abundant. The teams combined for nearly two dozen penalties, including several personal fouls.

Deer Lakes' best opportunity to score came early in the third quarter. Trailing 3-0, the Lancers took over the ball on the Freeport side of midfield after a short punt. But on fourth down, Freeport cornerback Austin Romanchak broke up Aris Hasley's pass.

It marked the second consecutive week Deer Lakes couldn't maintain a strong start.

“That's beginning to be a theme here,” Sciullo said. “I don't like that theme. That's not the theme I prefer. I didn't like our offensive performance.”

The Yellowjackets' first touchdown came on Conor Selinger's 2-yard run late in the third quarter, and Schaffhauser made it 17-0 when he pounced on a snap that went over Solomon's head.

“(Our coaches) motivated us to come out and play a lot better,” Schaffhauser said. “(The touchdown) was amazing. First varsity touchdown. No better feeling.”

Jake Sarver and Selinger added rushing scores in the fourth, and Sarver had an interception. Selinger finished with 94 yards.

Solomon totaled 57 yards rushing on 29 carries for Deer Lakes, and Hasley passed for 77 yards.

Deer Lakes travels to face defending conference champion Keystone Oaks next week, and Freeport steps out of Allegheny play for a road game at No. 1 Aliquippa.

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review staff writer.

Tags: Deer Lakes, Freeport