HERMAN — Saturday was all about taking care of business for Freeport.

And the Yellowjackets wasted no time doing so.

Freeport (8-1) scored touchdowns on each of its first three offensive plays Saturday in posting a 35-6 football victory at Summit Academy.

The win clinched a share of the Allegheny Conference championship for the Yellowjackets, their first section crown in 17 years. Freeport tied Shady Side Academy for the crown.

"It's been a long time coming," Freeport coach John Gaillot said of the section title. "This was one of our goals from the start of the season. These kids worked for it all year."

Summit Academy (2-7) mishandled a lateral on the game's first play from scrimmage, recovering the ball for a 14-yard loss. Three plays later, Cody McClelland blocked a punt and the 'Jackets had the ball at the Knights' 8-yard line.

Andy Teorsky scored on an 8-yard run on first down.

A 27-yard punt return by Tyler Collins gave Freeport possession at the Summit Academy 30-yard line. Alex Isenberg scored on a 30-yard run, again on first down.

A 10-yard punt gave the 'Jackets possession in Summit territory again. This time, Jake Campbell scored on a 40-yard run on first down and it was 21-0 with 4:23 left in the opening quarter.

"Our kids have a tendency to wait at the start of games and get a gauge on the opponent," Knights coach Steve Sherersaid. "We didn't block or tackle early in this game."

Freeport's only sustained drive of the game was in the second quarter. The 'Jackets marched 68 yards in 11 plays, eating 6:23 off the clock. Darius Frantz caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Isenberg for the score.

"I thought our kids kept up their intensity all game," Gaillot said. "They knew what was at stake coming in here.

"The conditions weren't ideal, but we played pretty well. And their (Summit's) kids played hard."

The game was played in an off-and-on drizzle and the field was mud-soaked.

"Freeport is a talented team and they came out ready to play today," Sherer said. "They took nothing for granted. We wish them well in the playoffs."

The Freeport lead reached 35-0 in the third quarter when Derek Durand intercepted a desperation fourth-down pass and returned in 88 yards down the left sideline for a score.

Durand, a senior wide receiver-defensive back, suffered a leg injury late in the game.

"I feel badly for Derek," Gaillot said. "He's in a lot of pain right now. We'll get him checked out and hopefully, he'll be back for the playoffs."

Summit Academy's lone touchdown was a swing pass from Quran Reaves to Maurice Houston. Houston beat the pursuit to the right sideline and completed a 42-yard scoring play late in the third quarter.

"We were hoping to get some other kids in the game in the second half, but the mercy rule (35-point lead) kicked in so quickly ... We didn't have much time," Gaillot said.

Freeport will play at home in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs and will learn the identity of its opponent at a meeting tonight.

Freeport 35, Summit Academy 6

Freeport 21 7 7 0 — 35Summit Academy 0 0 6 0 — 6F SA11 First Downs 627-140 Rushes-Yards 35-8554 Passing Yards 515-8-0 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 2-7-1194 Total Yards 1362-0 Fumbles-Lost 1-06-45 Penalties-Yards 4-50

First QuarterF — Andy Teorsky 8 run (Tyler Singer kick), 10:04F — Alex Isenberg 30 run (Singer kick), 7:42F — Jake Campbell 40 run (Singer kick), 4:23

Second QuarterF — Darius Frantz 18 pass from Isenberg (Collins kick), 1:46

Third QuarterF — Derek Durand 88 interception return (Singer kick), 5:51SA — Maurice Houston 42 pass from Quran Reaves (run failed), 2:09

Individual StatisticsPassing: Freeport, Alex Isenberg 5-8-54-0. Summit Academy, Quran Reaves 2-6-51-0, Sean McDonald 0-1-0-1.

Rushing: Freeport, Alex Isenberg 5-35, Andy Teorsky 6-33, Jake Campbell 7-60, Darius Frantz 6-8, Derek Durand 1-(-6), Dalton Hubert 2-10. Summit Academy, Quran Reaves 2-(-1), Sean McDonald 20-79, James Tate 8-13, Maurice Houston 4-(-6), Jermaine Jenkins 1-0.

Receiving: Freeport, Tyler Collins 1-11, Andy Teorsky 1-6, Darius Frantz 1-18, Derek Duran 2-19. Summit Academy, Maurice Houston 1-42, Stephen Boone 1-9.