FREEPORT — When Freeport faces Ford City Friday, John Gaillot will see first-hand the kind of program he'd like to see his Yellowjackets become.

"We have to prepare against tradition," said Gaillot. "Their program, which coach (John) Bartolovic (has) worked to establish (is) what we want to try and do.

"It doesn't matter who is on the field, everyone believes they can win. They don't go away and they keep fighting. That's where we want to be," Gaillot added.

The Yellowjackets (3-1, 3-1) have been going in the right direction, qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs last season and are coming off an impressive 20-17 victory over previously undefeated Burrell.

Tyler Singer kicked a 29-yard field goal, his second of the game, with 7:11 remaining to break a 17-17 tie.

The Yellowjackets used an 80-yard touchdown run by Alex Isenberg and a 97-yard punt return by Mitch Shaw to score their two touchdowns. Freeport needed that big-play capability because it rarely held the ball for most of the game.

"Burrell had the ball for 35 of 48 minutes," said Gaillot , "and for our kids to give up just 17 points is phenomenal."

In Ford City (4-0, 4-0), Freeport will again face an undefeated Allegheny Conference opponent, one that beat it 36-14 a year ago.

The Sabers, however, have only three returning starters on both sides of the ball, but have found suitable replacements with some younger players.

"We had hoped to be 3-1 or 4-0, but we didn't feel we've gotten to the meat of our schedule until the Freeport game," said Bartolovic, whose teams have beaten Valley (16-6), West Shamokin (48-0), Deer Lakes (28-21) and Summit Academy (14-0).

Ford City has been led by first-year starting quarterback Cody Gispanski, who has completed 14-of-22 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown.

"Cody has come through this system since the midget program," said Bartolovic, who is 90-46 in his 12th season at Ford City. "He knows the base offense all the way through junior high and junior varsity and he's done a good job."

Caleb Berrett has rushed for 303 yards on just 34 carries and has scored six touchdowns, while freshman Devan Willyard has added 235 yards on 36 carries with three scores and Mike Krochta 287 yards on 55 carries.

"They are very well-coached, unselfish and they block for each other," said Gaillot. "That makes them difficult to defend."

Freeport has been led offensively by Isenberg, who has completed 17-of-30 passes for 193 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Isenberg has also rushed for 211 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Andy Teorsky adds a second potent rusher for Freeport. Teorsky has gained 215 yards on 38 carries and scored three times for the Yellowjackets.

"(Isenberg) is a really big part of their offense," said Bartolovic. "They run the midline option and he runs it well. If there's heat, he tucks it away and runs. One year of experience is really big."

Derek Durand has been Isenberg's top target with eight receptions for 106 yards and one score while Tyler Collins (71 yards) and Darius Frantz (42) have four catches each.

"The biggest asset for Freeport is their team quickness," said Bartolovic. "On their defense, everyone moves to the ball. They're not very big — neither are we — but their speed stands out. In every game, they've had a big special teams play.

"It seems like the team that makes the fewest mistakes will come out on top," Bartolovic added.