FREEPORT - Don't let anyone in on the secret, but Freeport might be the football team to beat in the Allegheny Conference.

The Yellowjackets utilized a powerful running game and clutch passing to subdue McGuffey 28-0 in a non-conference tilt Friday night.

Freeport gained 360 total yards, with 220 of them coming on the ground.

Tailback Nate Kurtz recorded 117 yards rushing and a touchdown for the winners.

"We're going to ride the horse (Kurtz), if he keeps running like that," said Freeport coach Bill Dillen.

Freeport opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when fullback Ian Kaminsky plowed into the end zone from the 1-yard line.

The Yellowjackets set up the opening score by marching 83 yards on just five plays. Kaminsky had 42 yards rushing coming on six carries.

Freeport scored again just before halftime when Kory Micholas scampered into the end zone from the 4-yard line.

Two key plays on the drive came from the arm of quarterback Kiel Conjack.

The first was a 26-yard screen pass from Conjack to Kurtz that put Freeport at the McGuffey 27-yard line.

The second was a fourth-and-14 completion to Jake Lassinger that gave Freeport a first down at the Highlanders' 6-yard line.

Disaster struck the Yellowjackets on the first play of the second half when Kurtz fumbled at the Freeport 36-yard line.

Kurtz fumbled twice in the game, with both coming on the first play from scrimmage in each half.

McGuffey drove to the Freeport 1-yard line after taking over possession following the fumble.

But the Highlanders were turned away when Micholas intercepted a Keaton Hamberger pass at the 1-yard line.

Micholas was effective on the offensive side of the ball as well, gaining 99 yards of total offense and scoring a touchdown.

After the turnover, McGuffey forced the Yellowjackets to punt after three plays.

The Highlanders' Chris Sibert returned the punt to the Yellowjacket 25-yard line.

However, McGuffey was unable to sustain the drive when J.P. Samay sacked Hamberger at the Freeport 32-yard line.

"We just couldn't get off the ball tonight. We came out flat and we ended flat," said McGuffey coach Derek Bochna.

One bright spot for the Highlanders was the play of fullback Ben Dunaway, who had 69 yards rushing.

"I give Derek a lot of credit; their kids play hard and he is trying to turn that program around," said Dillen. "I'll tell you one thing, those boys came to hit."

Freeport scored on the first play of the fourth quarter when Kurtz plunged into the end zone from the 1-yard line.

Kurtz had a 27-yard run on the drive that put the ball at the McGuffey 7-yard line.

Freeport closed out the scoring when backup quarterback Bryan Zimmerman hit Brady Sherrieb for a 39-yard scoring strike.

The Yellowjackets open their conference schedule when they host Ford City next Friday.

"Were going to have to keep playing like this because we play in a tough conference," Dillen said. "It is just going to get tougher and tougher."