Freeport overpowers McGuffey
FREEPORT — Senior lineman Bobby Jendrejewski knew how the Freeport could earn respect around the WPIAL and close Swartz Field down the right way.
Beating McGuffey 45-6 Friday night in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs was all about a mentality carved throughout the season.
“Every game we go in with the mentality that we are the baddest dudes on the field,” Jendrejewski said. “As a defensive line, that's how you have to play. I personally think we are the baddest dudes until proven otherwise.”
The Yellowjackets' line could be comfortable laying claim to that title.
Sixth-seeded Freeport (9-1) rolled up 425 yards of total offense to pick up a win in the final game at Swartz Field, which has been the Yellowjackets' home since 1940.
Freeport will take on third-seeded Washington in the quarterfinals. The Little Prexies advanced with a 57-12 win over Deer Lakes.
“I'm just really proud of how well the boys played,” Yellowjackets coach John Gaillot said. “We wanted this one more than anything for the town. We got it and we're very happy.”
The Yellowjackets' bad dudes limited McGuffey (6-4) to 182 yards of offense. Jendrejewski finished with two sacks, while Logan Thimons forced and recovered a fumble and helped haul down Highlanders quarterback Marcus Czulewicz twice.
The sustained pressure allowed Freeport's defense to force three turnovers. Jacob Sarver and Brandon Hochbein both intercepted passes.
“They were relentless,” Gaillot said. “We just want them to be more physical than the week before.”
McGuffey's defense couldn't slow down Freeport quarterback Ryan Weigold.Weigold finished 22-of-24 passing for 351 yards, setting the Yellowjackets' single-season passing record.
He's thrown for 1,981 yards this season.
“We haven't had anybody throw the ball like that on us ever,” Highlanders coach Dalton said. “We've played passing teams that were probably their equal last year in Seton-La Salle. I don't know what happened. We just didn't compete.”The Yellowjackets first drive ended with a 29-yard field goal from Sarver with 7 minutes, 10 seconds left in the first. On Freeport's next possession, Weigold found Dylan Hochbein for a 10-yard touchdown to put the Yellowjackets up 10-0.Hochbein finished with a game-high 178 yards receiving on nine catches.“I know our running game was struggling tonight and we started passing,” said Weigold, who threw five touchdown passes. “The middle was wide open at first. Getting those first couple passes had them back off a little bit and that opened things up a lot for us.”Touchdown catches from Josh Brestensky, Brandon Hochbein and Ian Miller staked Freeport to a 38-0 halftime lead. Miller, who finished with a game-high 76 yards rushing, scored the Yellowjackets' lone touchdown in the second half. McGuffey prevented the shutout when Nick Haynes caught a 55-yard touchdown with 2:04 remaining.Freeport felt it had a lot to prove. The lowest-seeded conference champion, the Yellowjackets' win improved the Allegheny Conference's playoff record to 4-18 in the last five seasons.It was the first playoff win for Freeport since 2010.“We want to get some respect for our conference, there's huge respect coming our way,” Weigold said. “We wanted to put up some numbers this game and put a scare through the WPIAL.”Jendrejewski was glad this group gave Swartz Field a proper send-off.“Probably the best ever,” Jendrejewski said of Freeport's final home game. “The Deer Lakes one was good, but this one is pretty awesome.”
