Mirror image
FREEPORT — When Freeport football coach John Gaillot and Ellwood City football coach Don Phillips watch each other's team on film, it's like looking into a mirror.
They'll see each other up close and personal at 7:30 p.m. Friday as the teams clash in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs at Swartz Field.
“Ellwood City really is aggressive,” Gaillot said. “They'll put nine or 10 guys in the box and go man and force you to make a mistake.
“I saw them against Beaver Falls (a 31-28 win by the Wolverines) and they were pretty aggressive. That's how we are. I like that style. They seem to be well-coached — teams with good technique are well-coached,” Gaillot added.
“I know of Freeport and their history. They obviously have a very strong football program,” Phillips said. “They have tough kids up there who play hard.
“Right now, they're playing very physical, very aggressive,” Phillips added.
The Wolverines (6-3) are led offensively by running back Kyle Crawford, who has rushed 119 times for 995 yards and has 19 total touchdowns.
“He's pretty athletic,” Gaillot said. “He has good speed, very quick. Then they have a pretty good (offensive) line. The center and one of the guards is really good. They're solid. It will be a pretty tight match.”
Phillips, now in his fourth season with the Wolverines has gone with a two-quarterback system.
“Brian Graebing is a senior and Julian Cox is a sophomore,” Phillips said. “We have a good leader and we have some youth. Our kids feel comfortable with what both provide.
“What was once a question mark is now a strength,” Phillips added.
Graebing has completed 17-of-37 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns. His top target is Nick Polka, who has 12 catches for 326 yards.
The Yellowjackets (7-2) captured a share of the Allegheny Conference title, but earned the higher seed with their head-to-head win over Shady Side Academy.
Freeport has enjoyed the running of Damon Smith, who leads the Butler County area with 1,210 yards on 213 carries.
“(Smith) is a nice tailback for them,” Phillips said. “He runs hard inside and can get outside. He has speed and the quickness.”
Brendan Lynch has thrown for 577 yards on 33-of-58 passing with seven TDs and just two interceptions. He's also rushed for 279 yards on 79 carries and four more scores.
His top receiver has been Sean Carson, who leads the Yellowjackets with 12 receptions for 283 yards and two TDs. Tony DeVivo has added three touchdowns.
Freeport has now had a share of two conference titles in the past three years and has qualified for the playoffs all four seasons with Gaillot as coach.
“This is a complete team,” Gaillot said. “I've never been around a team so close. They're the first ones to admit there's no stars, no one individual. They're a bunch of blue-collar kids, all doing the job assigned to them.”
