FREEPORT — There's no sugar-coating Freeport's football game Friday night at Deer Lakes.

“This is a big game for both of us,” Yellowjackets coach John Gaillot said.

Freeport (2-3) has won two straight games and takes on a Deer Lakes (3-2) squad that it's looking up at in the Class 3A Big East standings. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

“This game will be a big challenge for us,” Gaillot said. “They are a physical football team and so are we. I'm expecting a close, tough game.”

Gaillot said Lancers quarterback Aris Hasley is similar to his own signal-caller, Austin Romanchak. Hasley has thrown for 897 yards and 10 touchdowns, rushed for 232 yards.

Romanchak has 287 yards passing, 483 yards and six touchdowns rushing.

“That kid can hurt you both ways,” Gaillot said of Hasley. “He's got two big targets to throw to and those guys catch everything that comes their way.

“This will be a challenge, trying to slow down that team.”

Wide receiver Jared Colton has caught 24 passes for 299 yards while 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end Colin Kadlick has 18 catches for 175. Kadlick is getting Division I collegiate looks.

The Yellowjackets made defensive adjustments last week that helped in their 20-0 shutout of Yough. Jewlius Barnes moved from linbacker to defensive end, Ricky Hunter from safety to linebacker.

“They couldn't keep Jewlius out of their backfield and Ricky had 11 or 13 tackles in that game,” Gaillot said. “If we stay healthy, our defense is pretty good.”

That unit includes linebacker Conor Selinger, whose recent return from injury also gave Freeport a needed second offensive threat running the ball.

Selinger has 44 carries for 214 yards and four TDs on the year.

“We needed that second threat and Conor gives us that,” Gaillot said. “If Austin's our only threat back there, we're not a hard team to defend.”

Freeport leads the long-running series between the teams 45-38-5 and has not lost to the Lancers since 2010. The Yellowjackets defeated Deer Lakes 31-0 last year.

Union/A-C Valley (2-4, 0-3)

at Keystone (3-3, 0-3)

7 p.m., Thursday

The Falcon Knights crushed Port Allegany last week, 34-6. Keystone steamrolled past Sheffield, 52-0.

Union/ACV QB Luke Bowser has thrown for 416 yards, four TDs and seven INTs. He's added five scores on the ground. ... Junior LB Colby Best paces the team's defense with 42 tackles.

Keystone, though competing in District 9's Small School-South Division, is actually a Class AA team. ... In last week's win, Panthers' junior QB Isaak Jones threw 4 TD passes. ... Jones is also a threat on the ground, totaling 240 yards and three TDs thus far. ... Sophomore RB Nick Weaver leads the ground attack with 245 yards and 4 TDs.

South Fayette (5-1, 3-0) at Knoch (2-4, 2-3) 7 p.m., Friday

The host Knights have lost to South Fayette each of the past two years, 49-14 in 2016 and 52-14 last year.

The Lions feature one of the top passers in the WPIAL in Jamie Diven, who has thrown for 1,445 yards and 19 TDs. ... Mike Trimbur has 24 catches for 444 yards, Charley Rossi 18 catches for 324 for South Fayette. RB Andrew Franklin has 80 carries for 443 yards.

Knoch continues to have two of the more dynamic offensive players in Butler County. RB Matt Goodlin has 85 carries for 723 yards and 10 TDs. His 60 points are tied for the most in the county. QB Chase Mullen has thrown for 515 yards and two TDs, rushed for 435 yards and eight scores. His 48 points are sixth-most in the county.

North Catholic (5-1, 3-1)

at Eliz. Forward (5-0, 4-0)

7 p.m., Friday

North Catholic dominated in a 49-7 win over Mount Pleasant last week. In a battle of unbeatens, Elizabeth Forward defeated Derry, 25-22.

Against Mount Pleasant, North Catholic emphasized its ground game with 222 yards. QB Zack Rocco (60 yards) and RB Cameron Branch (52) led the way.

In the win over Derry, Warrior QB Zach Benedek threw for 142 yards and a touchdown and added a scoring run from 22 yards out. Nate Alberts caught four passes for 105 yards, including a 49-yard TD reception. ... Andrew Smith has booted five field goals for the Warriors this season.

Kane (1-5) at Karns City (2-4)

7 p.m., Friday

This marks the first regular season meeting between the two schools. Karns City leads the all-time series 5-0 with all five wins coming in the playoffs. The last time the teams played, the Gremlins posted a 49-21 win in the 2013 District 9 title game.

Kane's lone win is a 22-0 shutout over Punxsutawney two weeks ago. RB Aiden Hulings had 37 carries for 131 yards in that game. ... KC RB Hunter Jones is third in the county with 58 points. He has rushed for 675 yards and nine TDs. ... Gremlins QB Anthony Kamenski has thrown for 476 yards and three scores.

Slippery Rock (4-2, 0-2) at Conneaut (4-2, 1-1)

7 p.m., Friday

Slippery Rock will have to contend with a two-headed Conneaut monster in quarterback Kyle Sheets and running back Peyton Hearns.

The duo have combined to rush for 1,604 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Hearn had 940 yards on the ground by himself as the Eagles have rolled up 211 points already this season. But Conneaut has also coughed up 170 points.

That may make Slippery Rock's offense salivate as the Rockets put up 55 points last week against Titusville.

Slippery Rock quarterback Vito Pilosi completed three passes last week for 209 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 104 yards and a score.

This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

SSA (5-0, 3-0) at Summit Acad. (0-6, 0-3)

12:30 p.m. Saturday

Shady Side Academy star Dino Tomlin, the former North Catholic player and the son of Pittsburgh Steelers' coach Mike Tomlin, scored four touchdowns last week in a 63-21 romp over Apollo-Ridge.

Tomlin scored on runs of 14, 16 and caught passes of 35 and 66 for scores.

Summit Academy got a 3-yard run by Jake Rosario for the Knights' only score in a 35-8 loss to Avonworth. Summit Academy has scored just 16 points this season.