FREEPORT — The Freeport football team had a game plan entering Friday's Class AA Allegheny Conference showdown with the Shady Side Academy Indians: ball control.

The notion sounds simplistic, but the Yellowjackets perfected it on their way to a 21-14 victory.

On the first drive of the third quarter, Freeport quarterback Brendan Lynch rushed for a 24-yard touchdown that capped off a 12-play, 64-yard drive that took eight minutes off the clock.

Freeport wore out Shady Side Academy's defense, leaving the team little time to make a comeback.

Attempting that very feat in the fourth quarter, Shady Side Academy quarterback Reggie Mitchell rushed for a 5-yard touchdown.

Shady Side had only three first downs entering the final quarter, but was able to compile seven in the last 12 minutes.

Looking to tie the game in the final minute, Mitchell threw a near-perfect strike to wide-out Ryan Reynolds, but the ball went through Reynolds' hands. Mitchell was stopped short on his attempt at a first down on what would end up as Shady Side Academy's final play.

“Our boys are amazing,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said of his young team. “They have grown up dramatically in three weeks.”

Parity in the Class AA Allegheny Conference puts it up for grabs in 2011.

Unfortunately for Shady Side Academy, it was the ball that was up for grabs all too often in Friday night's loss.

Shady Side fumbled four times in the first half, two of which resulted in turnovers.

“That was an outstanding team,” Gaillot said of Shady Side Academy. “We're very fortunate. My coaching staff busted their back ends preparing this week.”

The Yellowjackets took advantage in the first quarter when Mitchell fumbled, a miscue that cost his team. Two plays later, Freeport junior tailback Damon Smith struck for a 15-yard touchdown run at the 5:26 mark of the first quarter.

But Shady Side had an answer in the form of sophomore Jared Brevard, who scored on a 55-yard touchdown run the very next drive.

Lynch only threw two passes in the game for Freeport, highlighting his team's commitment to possessing the football. Nonetheless, it was Smith's running that took care of business on offense.

“He's our workhorse behind our big line,” Gaillot said.

Smith led all Freeport running backs with 66 yards on 25 carries. Lynch had 73 yards on 15 carries.

Smith secured his second touchdown of the game, a 1-yard run, at the 4:13 mark of the first half. Smith led all rushers with 62 yards in the first half.

Freeport led 14-7 at halftime. The Yellowjackets attempted twice more to add to the lead, but senior kicker Dave Heidenger missed two field goals of 36 and 42 yards, respectively.

Mitchell, a Wisconsin recruit at defensive back, coughed up two of his three fumbles in the first half. He did not complete a pass until the fourth quarter, but led his team with 80 yards rushing on 24 attempts.

Brevard led all receivers with 33 yards.

Gaillot said that while the win is sweet, there is only one focus.

“Enjoy it and then start focusing on Burrell,” Gaillot said. “Every game is a playoff game.”