Freeport senior quarterback Ryan Wegiold's first two varsity starts have put the rest of the WPIAL on full alert.

Weigold enters the Yellowjackets' Allegheny Conference Showdown at 7 p.m. Friday at Swartz Field against Apollo-Ridge as the district's leading passer with 552 yards.

Weigold had 65 yards passing in backup duty last season.

“Getting more in-game looks, more realistic looks helped,” Weigold said. “After the first couple of drives against Shady Side, I had a feel for things. Things started to open up more.”

Weigold continuing to develop — and a win over the feisty Vikings (1-1, 0-1) — would propel Freeport into serious contention for the conference crown.

During his short tenure as starter, Weigold has settled in comfortably.

Following a 41-0 win over Summit Academy last week, the Yellowjackets improved to 2-0 both overall and in conference.

“He shows poise and confidence,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said. “He's getting better and better at reading defenses and letting things develop. We did so many 7-on-7s this summer, I think that helped him with his reads.”

Apollo-Ridge may be without the services of running back Duane Brown, who suffered a concussion in the Vikings' 31-28 overtime loss to Highlands last week.

Brown leads Apollo-Ridge with 313 yards rushing and averages 6.3 yards per carry.

“Duane Brown is our best offensive player,” Vikings coach John Skiba said. “He's rushed for more than (300) yards through two games and gained about 170 more in the passing game ... He makes us go.”

Even if Brown is unavailable, Gaillot expects Freeport will be in for a fight. The Vikings are a well-rounded unit.

“I think it's going to be close,” Gaillot said. “I have mixed emotions because their defense is so good and ours is solid, too. It might be low scoring, but it could be in the 30s or 40s, too.”

Skiba believes keeping Freeport off the scoreboard will have to come by grounding the Yellowjackets air attack.

If the Vikings can fluster Weigold.

“I read somewhere that Freeport is the No. 1 passing team in the WPIAL.,” Skiba said. “They are dangerous on the perimeter that way. We're gonna have to find a way to slow those guys down to stay in this game.”

Carrick at Knoch

7 p.m., Friday

What to look for: Carrick has been outscored 49-6 in season-opening losses to City League foes Westinghouse and Brashear. ... The Raiders are grieving over the loss of freshman player Curtis Pounds, who was shot and killed last week. ... Ed White is in first-year as head coach for Carrick, which was 1-8 last year and has not reached the playoffs since 2007. ... Knoch (1-1) failed to score a touchdown in its first six quarters this year, ending the drought with a 20-yard Mac Christy scoring run last week. ... Knights are averaging only 2.9 yards per carry through two games. ... Knoch and Carrick are meeting for the first time.

St. Marys at Karns City

7 p.m., Friday

What to look for: Both teams are 2-0, but Karns City owns a 10-1 lead in the all-time series and has won the last seven meetings. ... KC has defeated St,. Marys six times in the past three seasons, including District 9 playoff wins by scores of 49-12, 55-6 and 35-14. ... Through two games, the Gremlins have rushed for 769 yards and allowed just 90 yards on the ground. Colin Dunmyre, Maverick Kelsea and Chandler Turner are among the top 10 rushers in the county and each averages more than 10 yards per carry.

Moniteau at Port Allegany

7 p.m., Friday

What to look for: Port Allegany is off to an 0-2 start, but senior RB Mac Tanner has been a bright spot, rushing for 201 yards on just 29 carries. ... Moniteau, also 0-2, will look to get off to a better start. The Warriors have fallen behind big at halftime in both games, which has forced Moniteau to abandon its bread and butter: the running game.

Union at A-C Valley 7 p.m. Friday

What to look for: Union fell to 0-2 with a 13-6 loss to Brookville; A-C Valley dropped to 0-2 with a 41-7 loss to Moniteau. ... Golden Knights running back Dugan Gallagher carried the ball 30 times last week for 178 yards and a score against the Raiders. ... Lane Chalmers scored the lone Falcons touchdown against the Flying Dutchmen. A-C Valley finished with nine yards of total offense last week.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at CW North Catholic

7 p.m. Friday

What to look for: OLSH fell to 0-2 with a 41-0 loss to Avonworth; North Catholic beat Chartiers-Houston 35-7 to improve to 2-0. ... Trojans quarterback Erick Taylor passed for 208 yards and two scores while adding 85 yards rushing and a touchdown against the Buccaneers. ... The Chargers average 196.5 yards per game on offense.

Burrell at Summit Academy 12:30 p.m. Saturday

What to look for: The Knights fell to 0-2 with a 41-0 loss to Freeport; the Buccaneers also fell to 0-2 with a 17-14 loss to Shady Side Academy. ... Burrell leads the all-time series between the two schools 7-0. ... Max Garda leads the Buccaneers in passing with 238 yards.