BUFFALO TWP — The bad part about taking risks is that sometimes they don't pan out.

Down by a touchdown with time ticking away in the second quarter of Friday night's non-conference football clash, Freeport coach John Gaillot chose to try to get something going after his defense stopped Avonworth on downs on the Yellowjackets' 40.

He called for Garrett King to pass, but the Antelopes' Andrew Kuban picked it off and the visitors promptly tacked another score on the board before the gun to lead 14-0 at the break.

Avonworth went on to post a 21-7 victory at Freeport Stadium.

“We had some momentum and I thought we could steal some more,” Gaillot said. “Sometimes you gamble and lose ... I should've just took a knee instead of trying to generate some offense close to midfield.”

For much of the first half, Freeport's defense bent, but didn't break. Avonworth turned the ball over on downs three times in the first 24 minutes, all in Freeport territory.

The Yellowjackets' offensive sting was non-existent, however. They went three-and-out three times in the half, only mustering a single first down. Their other drives ended in King's miscue and a knee to get to the locker room.

In the second quarter, Avonworth broke through on a nine-play, 60-yard scoring march capped off by Ian Syam's two-yard rushing score. A few possessions later, it took the Antelopes only four snaps to add to their lead when quarterback Nate Harper found Syam from 19 yards out.

Gaillot swapped King out from behind center in the second half, inserting Ben Lane, who gave the offense new life, scrambling around and completing 10 of 16 passes for 122 yards.

With four minutes to go, he connected with Vincent Clark on a six-yard touchdown strike, making it a one-possession game at 14-7.

Of the switch, Gaillot said, “It's just a different dynamic and people are going to have to prepare for it. It's always been in our plans (to give Lane some time behind center).”

If one thing has been sure for Freeport over the past two years, it's that Lane will make big plays, whether as a passer or a runner.

“Some things weren't working out in our regular offense,” Lane said. “They wanted to try something different. I was honestly just running around trying to find the open receiver.”

Avonworth's Syam would milk the clock and bruising tailback Brandon Biagiarelli would seal the deal, pounding it in from the 1-yard line with little over a minute remaining.

Freeport 0 0 0 7 — 7

Avonworth 0 14 0 7 — 21

Second Quarter

A — Ian Syam 2 run (Mike Osekowski kick), 4:44

A — Ian Syam 19 pass from Harper (Mike Osekowski kick), 0:09

Fourth Quarter

F — Vincent Clark 6 pass from Lane (Vincent Clark kick), 4:31

A — Brandon Biagiarelli 1 run (Mike Osekowski kick), 1:06

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Freeport, Ben Lane 15-42, Garrett King 8-(-4), Gavin Croney 1-1, Zach Clark 1-(-2). Avonworth, Ian Syam 25-108, Brandon Biagiarelli 10-71, Nate Harper 2-9, Neo Miller 1-2, Luke Hilyard 1-1.

Passing: Freeport, Ben Lane 10-16-122-1, Garrett King 2-3-12-1. Avonworth, Nate Harper 14-29-219-0.

Receiving: Freeport, Vincent Clark 5-62, Garrett King 3-33, Brady Stivenson 2-24, Jacksen Reiser 2-15. Avonworth, Tyler Scheis 4-61, Peyton Faulkner 3-57, Neo Miller 2-57, Brandon Biagiarelli 2-24, Ian Syam 2-17, Luke Hilyard 1-1.