KITTANNING — As Freeport wide receiver Shawn Liberto stormed down the sideline untouched, his teammates and coaches went wild and the celebration drew a sideline warning.

In contrast, the Kittanning Wildcats' shoulders slumped and their bench was silent as Freeport broke the third touchdown run.

The early three-touchdown deficit was too much for the Wildcats to overcome as the Yellowjackets claimed a 37-21 conference victory on the road at David "Red" Ullom Field.

Liberto's 65-yard end-around capped a 21-point run during the first 14 minutes of the game for the 'Jackets.

Quarterback Alex Isenberg and running back Andrew Teorsky scored on first-quarter touchdown runs of 11 and 56 yards, respectively.

"That's what we expect, But we just have to work on finishing," Freeport coach John Gaillot said. "The kids played their hearts out and we can't ask for anything more than that."

With the early lead, the Freeport defense brought relentless pressure to the Wildcats offense. The Yellowjackets forced four fumbles and three interceptions, resulting in six turnovers and 23 points.

Kittanning coach Sam Panchik was quick to identify the biggest factor.

"Freeport's defense," Panchik said. "They're aggressive and fast, and when you don't have the ball, you can't score. If we don't turn the ball over, it's a tie game."

Despite the turnovers, Kittanning battled its way through the game with strong rushing performances from Logan Atwood and Jacob Burdett. Each rushed for more than 100 yards.

After forcing a three-and-out on Kittanning's first drive, the 'Jackets drove 48 yards and scored on an Isenberg run.

Freeport used four different runners on the drive and spread the ball out for most of the game. The 'Jackets had three runners with five or more carries and Liberto had 65 yards on his only run of the game.

"Freeport's a good football team, I know that, and they can score from anywhere on the field," Panchik said. "And they proved that tonight."

Kittanning outgained the 'Jackets by over 100 yards, but penalties also plagued the Wildcats.

After forcing a Freeport punt to start the second half, Kittanning had some momentum and a chance to bring it to a one-score game with a touchdown. But after one of its 11 penalties forced Kittanning closer to its goal line, Atwood fumbled and Freeport recovered in the end zone.

But nothing showed Gaillot more about his team than in the last minute. With the victory sealed, Kittanning was inside Freeport's 1-yard line with 30 seconds to play.

Instead of surrendering the late score, the 'Jackets held tough for three plays and forced a turnover on downs to end the game.

"Overall, we started getting down there," Gaillot said, "but the character really came out with that stand."