Frantz

FREEPORT — Senior linebacker Darius Frantz knew this game was important for Freeport. By beating Deer Lakes, the Yellowjackets would earn the program's 500th victory.

But with the 'Jackets holding only a 3-0 halftime lead, the game was too close for comfort.

On the first possession of the first half, Frantz blew through the line and forced a Deer Lakes fumble.

Three plays later, Mitchell Shaw scored the first of Freeport's four third-quarter touchdowns en route to a 37-7 victory.

"The coaches were pretty upset at halftime," Frantz said. "But being senior night, we came out in the second half ready to play."

After leading by three at halftime, Freeport extended its lead to 31 by the end of the third quarter.

"Frantz is a heck of an athlete," Deer Lakes coach Todd Hazlett said. "He was the difference-maker in this game. He almost took that handoff at the beginning of the half."

Frantz carried the ball four times for 101 yards, recorded a sack, forced a fumble and partially blocked a punt in the second quarter.

Freeport's defense held the Lancers' ground attack to minus-15 yards. When Lancers quarterback Geoff Landry tried to pass the ball, the 'Jackets were ready.

Tyler Collins intercepted three passes and returned one 55 yards for a touchdown.

"(Frantz and Collins) continue to get better," 'Jackets coach John Gaillot said. "They believe in what we're doing, both on offense and defense."

Both teams struggled to find a rhythm in the first half.The 'Jackets were able to move the ball into scoring position after Frantz partially blocked the Lancers' punt.Freeport moved the ball down the field and Tyler Singer kicked a 26-yard field goal to give the hosts a 3-0 lead."We can't continue to come out flat at this point of the year," Gaillot said.After the half, Freeport rattled off 28 points for the victory.Shaw, Alex Isenberg, Andrew Teorsky and Jake Campbell all found the end zone.Freeport went up 37-0 on Collins' interception return before the Lancers wrapped up the scoring when Landry found Gus Brown for a 60-yard touchdown pass.The win meant a lot to Gaillot, a Freeport graduate who played football there."The board took a chance on me a year and a half ago," Gaillot said. "Gary Kepple, Don Earley, Bob King and Bill Dillen deserve credit for most of those 500 victories. I have never been around a group of kids like this and don't want it to end."