LOWER BURRELL — In a game that featured eight lead changes, 10 touchdowns and one walk-off winner, Burrell defeated Freeport 36-35 in overtime Friday night.

Zach Miller caught the game-winning two-point conversion after Seth Fischbach reeled in a 12-yard touchdown pass on third down in overtime.

“You know I never had a doubt in my mind,” Fischbach said about the game-winning touchdown. “When the ball comes your way, that’s when you got to be clutch.”

Freeport (3-4), was pushed out of playoff contention with the loss, and coach John Gaillot blamed no one but himself.

“You know I just didn’t prepare the boys well enough,” Gaillot said. “This one is on me, not the guys.”

After a scoreless first quarter, the Yellowjackets got on the board first on a 1-yard quarterback sneak from Garret Schaffhauser to take a 7-0 lead.

Burrell answered back just before the half, but failed on the PAT.

The third quarter is when the roller coaster began.

Burrell took it’s first lead of the game on a Michael Scherer 2-yard run, which was followed up by a 23-yard run by Freeport’s Ricky Hunter.

Hunter ended the day with 151 rushing yards on 20 carries and four touchdowns.

“We did have some great individual performances,” Gaillot said. “Ricky Hunter ran the ball great and Brodey Woods doesn’t get enough recognition, but that kid is a heck of a ballplayer.”

Before the third quarter came to a close, Alex Arledge hooked up with Logan Phillips for a 60-yard touchdown pass as Burrell took a six-point lead into the fourth.

Hunter started the fourth quarter with back-to-back touchdowns, but a Caden DiCaprio 2-yard touchdown run and an Arledge two-point conversion tied the game at 28.

In overtime, Freeport took the ball first and Hunter scored his fourth touchdown of the day to give the Yellowjackets a 35-28 edge.

The Bucs then had their chance and scored off the Fischbach touchdown catch, and won on the walk-off two-point conversion pass to Miller.

“He (Arledge) always knows when I want the ball,” Fischbach said referring to his connection with his quarterback.

“I mean it feels great. Not making the playoffs since 2012, its just amazing. Playoffs here we come.”

The ground game for the Bucs proved to be a tough task, with Michael Scherer leading the way with 31 carries for 173 yards.

Burrell (5-3), moved up in the standings with the win, gaining a permanent edge on Freeport for the season.

With the Yellowjackets now out of playoff contention, they still have two more games remaining.

Freeport will travel to Mount Pleasant next week, and finish at home against Knoch on October 25.

Freeport 0 7 7 14 7 — 35

Burrell 0 6 14 8 8 — 36

Second Quarter

F — Garret Schaffhauser 1 run (Ricky Hunter kick), 6:34

B — Zach Miller 19 pass from Alex Arledge (kick blocked), 1:38

Third Quarter

B — Michael Scherer 32 run (conversion failed), 10:30

F — Ricky Hunter 23 run (Hunter kick), 3:06

B — Logan Phillips 60 pass from Arledge (Arledge run), 1:30

Fourth Quarter

F — Hunter 30 run (Hunter kick), 8:50

F — Hunter 3 run (Hunter kick), 6:45

B — Caden DiCaprio 2 run (Arledge run), 3:55

Overtime

F — Hunter 1 run (Hunter kick)

B — Seth Fischbach 2 run (Arledge run)

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Freeport, Ricky Hunter 20-151, Garret Schaffhauser 15-77, Ben Lane 4-8. Burrell, Michael Scherer 31-173, Caden DiCaprio 1-2.

Passing: Freeport, Garret Schaffhauser 11-13-90-0. Burrell, Alex Arledge 7-22-132-0.

Receiving: Freeport, Garrett King 3-30, Brodey Woods 5-51, Cole Charlton 1-6, Ben Lane 1-3, Ricky Hunter 1-0. Burrell, Zach Miller 3-36, Logan Phillips 3-75, Michael Scherer 1-21, Seth Fischbach 1-12.