No rest for 'Jackets
Backs against the wall and no room for error — Freeport's football team has some company in that respect.
The Yellowjackets visit Burrell Friday night with the loser's playoff hopes in deep peril.
Both teams are 3-3 and tied for fourth place in the Big East Conference standings. Only the top four will qualify for next month's WPIAL playoffs.
Freeport coach John Gaillot believes his team's attitude benefits the Yellowjackets, who have rebounded from an 0-3 start for the second consecutive season. Freeport earned the final playoff spot out of the conference last year.
“Our kids have a been there, done that attitude,” said Gaillot. “I like how calm they are and how hard they work.
“It seems like every game we play gets bigger. We thought last week's game (a 40-21 win over Deer Lakes) was big. This week, it's tenfold.”
Burrell saw its three-game winning streak snapped by a 34-18 loss at Mount Pleasant last Friday. Still, Bucs' second-year coach Shawn Liotta is pleased with the position his team is in — controlling its own destiny after a 2-8 record last year.
“We're not where we want to be yet, but I'm extremely proud of this group,” he said. “Two years ago, they won just one game here. Last year, we won two games. We dressed 18 or 19 kids in our game last year against Freeport (a 48-3 win for the 'Jackets) and should be dressing 36 Friday.”
One of them is quarterback Alex Arledge, a transfer from Central Catholic who has added big-play ability to Burrell's passing attack. The junior has passed for 1,517 and 15 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions.
“We run the run-and-shoot and our receivers do a lot of reading coverages post-snap,” Liotta said. “It takes a while to get our offense down, but (Arledge) has done an excellent job, particularly in recent weeks.”
Arledge has formed a potent connection with senior wideout Seth Fishbach, who has 36 catches for 698 yards and nine scores.
Running back Mickey Scherer leads the ground game with 679 yards. No other Burrell player has over 80 yards rushing.
“We see a lot of us in them,” said Gaillot of the Bucs. “They're very aggressive and tenacious on defense.”
Much focus will be on Freeport's defensive front, which includes ends Garret Schaffhauser, Andrew Sullivan and Cole Charlton, tackles Carter Dougherty and Jewlius Barnes and nose guard Pierce Craven.
“They have to continue being relentless Friday night,” said Gaillot. “I'm happy with their play. They give you everything they have.”
7 p.m., FridaySV won last week at Hempfield, 40-12, clinching a WPIAL Class 6A playoff berth in the process. Woodland Hills earned its first victory, 28-2, at Kiski Area.Versatile SV threat Ethan West has totaled 398 rushing yards, including a 7-yard average, 308 receiving yards and 5 total TDs. ... QB Gabe Lawson has 1,101 passing yds. with 8 TDs and 4 INTs. ... The Raiders are 3-0 when scoring more than 20 points, 0-4 otherwise.Woodland Hills has used 3 QBs this season, with Deontae Williams leading the trio with 298 passing yds., including 107 last week. ... William Clark leads the Wolverines with 940 rushing yds.The Raiders defeated the Wolverines last season, 24-7.
7 p.m., FridayFox Chapel picked up a non-conference win at home last week, 35-20, against Connellsville. Mars won at North Hills, 14-7.The Foxes have rushed for just 548 yds. all season. ... Senior QB Shane Susnak has thrown for 1,157 yds. with 7 TDs and 5 INTs. ... Fox Chapel's lone conference win was a 16-13 decision over Hampton last month.Mars FB Teddy Ruffner has rushed for 74 percent of the team's yards on the ground (1,512 of 2,028). ... TE Mitchell Wright is the Planets' leading receiver with 4 catches for 89 yds. and the team's only receiving TD. ... With a win, Mars will clinch a WPIAL playoff berth.Mars thumped the Foxes last season, 49-14.
7 p.m., FridayThe Trojans defeated Elizabeth Forward last week, 12-7. Uniontown dropped a 52-7 decision at home against Derry.North has defeated the two teams it shared the Big East Conference title with last year — Elizabeth Forward and Derry (13-3). ... Anthony Serventi has 230 yds. receiving, 158 yds. rushing and leads the Trojans with 6 TDs.Uniontown has allowed at least 42 points in five of its seven games. ... The Red Raiders have dropped 29 straight games, dating back to 2016. Since the beginning of the 2014 season, Uniontown has gone 3-52.North crushed Uniontown last year, 70-0.
7 p.m., FridayThe Warriors are accustomed to playing against passing offenses and they will face another this week in the Dutch.Christian Coudriet has completed 117-of-188 passes for 1,583 yards and 14 touchdowns so far. His favorite target has been Bryce Walker, who has 39 receptions for 510 yards. Six different Dutch players, though, have caught at least one touchdown pass.Saint Marys also runs the ball well, led by Jacob Kline with 590 yards on just 77 attempts.Moniteau also has a good running game and have found a featured back in J.D. Dessicino, who has three consecutive 100-yard games for the Warriors.Dessicino has 556 yards on 104 carries this season.Saint Marys has lost three consecutive games since a 60-21 win over Punxsutawney Sept. 13.Moniteau has won two out of its last three games.
7 p.m., Friday FoxburgCameron County lost a 39-7 meeting at Smethport last week. Union/ACV fell in Rimersburg, 44-14 to Keystone.The Red Raiders have scored just 39 points all season while giving up 218.U/ACV receivers Tanner Merwin and Caden Rainey have combined for 42 receptions worth 625 yards and 5 TDs. ... Sophomore LB Carter Terwint has 41 tackles, including 3 for loss.The Falcon Knights shut out Cameron County last year, 62-0.
12:30 p.m., SaturdayValley's only win this season was a 22-6 victory over Imani Christian Sept. 6. Since, the Vikings have lost three games by a combined 24 points.Summit Academy is coming off a 28-20 setback to Shady Side Academy.
