Freeport upsets Burrell, 20-17
FREEPORT — A three-point halftime lead had turned into a seven-point deficit in less than 10 minutes. Momentum was gone and Freeport had to start at its own 20.
The Yellowjackets had managed 11 yards rushing and only one first down to that point.
One play later, all of that changed.
Alex Isenberg's 80-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter sparked the 'Jackets comeback and led to a 20-17 victory over undefeated Burrell Friday night at Swartz Field.
In a game dominated by special teams and defense, Freeport used big plays to overcome a Burrell team that had averaged 49.3 points a game.
The 80-yard touchdown run and 97-yard punt return by Mitch Shaw were the Yellowjackets' lone touchdowns, as Freeport (3-1, 3-1) recorded only four first downs Friday.
"Freeport played a great football game. We played a great football game," Burrell coach Tom Henderson said. "The big play was the 80-yard touchdown run. We were up 17-10 with all the momentum on our side, ready to go, and that just shifted everything."
With the offenses sputtering, special teams accounted for most of the first-half excitement.
On a Burrell punt late in the first quarter, Shaw continued to back peddle until catching the ball at the 3. The crowd, along with the coaches, were none too happy with his decision to field the punt.
That was until he broke three tackles and returned it for the first touchdown of the game.
"I was yelling to let it go into the end zone," Freeport head coach John Gaillot said with a laugh. "And when he got out about the 20, I changed my mind."
Gaillot added that Shaw is finally healthy after playing most of the season hurt, and he is looking forward to getting the entire team healthy in the coming weeks.
But it was the Yellowjackets defense that closed the door on the high-flying Burrell attack and put their offense in a position to win the game.
Freeport linebacker Darius Frantz was in the backfield harassing Bucs quarterback Cam Nelson all night.
When the Bucs were driving through the air early in the fourth, Shaw turned it around. He jumped a quick out pattern at midfield and gave the ball back to his offense. The interception was one of three by Freeport, a crucial element in slowing down Burrell.
Isenberg drove Freeport deep into Burrell territory with a 29-yard strike to Derek Durand. The reception set up Tyler Singer's second field goal of the night, putting the Yellowjackets ahead for good.
Burrell's attempt to tie the game came up short as penalties continued to hinder its offense.
The Bucs finished with eight flags for 65 yards, a stark contrast to Freeport's one for five yards.
As the horn sounded to end the game, the student section poured onto the field in celebration. The Yellowjackets raised their gold helmets in the middle of the field with the students surrounding them as the crowd and band were at their loudest all night.
"Everybody stepped up huge," Gaillot said, while many Freeport fans were coming onto the field to shake hands and congratulate the coach. "The defense gave up some yards there, but they're a heck of an offensive team. I couldn't be more proud of a group of young men."
