'Jackets slog out 6-0 win vs. Sabres
FORD CITY — After beating Ford City for the first time in six years, the screams emanating from Freeport's locker room were deafening.
"Who's soft now?" the players shouted.
The Yellowjackets earned a difficult 6-0 win and ruined the Sabers' homecoming game in the process.
Rain hampered the offenses as the teams combined for 43 yards and one first down after two quarters.
"It's a bad field," Ford City coach John Bartolovic said. "Both teams are fast and that was negated tonight."
The rain cleared up for Ford City's homecoming ceremony, but that didn't help improve the field conditions.
The Yellowjackets took advantage of the change in the weather, going on a seven- play, 65-yard touchdown drive.
On third down, quarterback Alex Isenberg took the ball around the right side and went into the end zone almost untouched.
"The line deserves all the credit,"Isenberg said. "I just run the ball."
On the ensuing kickoff, the Sabers fumbled and Freeport recovered on the FC 33-yard line.
But the Yellowjackets couldn't capitalize, as Isenberg threw an interception on third down, his third pick of the game. Isenberg finished with 54 yards rushing and 20 yards passing.
"The rain definitely affected the passing game. I started the game with gloves on because they were water resistant." Isenberg said. "But there was still mud on the ball."
Even though the Yellowjackets' defense swarmed to the ball, Ford City still had a chance to win.
Starting from their own 13, the Sabres drove to the Freeport 9-yard line with 2:57 remaining in the game.
Faced with a fourth-and-4, Sabers quarterback Cody Gipanski rolled out and looked for Rory Lockhart. His pass fell incomplete and the Yellowjackets came away with a big win.
"Hats off to these kids," Freeport coach John Gaillot said. "The defense played great. They're stepping up. Last week they held Burrell to 17 points and Burrell had the ball for 33 minutes."
