FOX CHAPEL — The one-hour lightning delay at Michael J. Farrell Stadium did not deter Freeport fans as they saw their Yellowjackets cruise to victory against Shady Side Academy Friday night.

The Yellowjackets combined for more than 335 yards of offense in their season-opening 35-7 win over the Indians.

“We thought it would be a lower scoring game,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said. “Shady Side is a very good team. Their D-line really worried us coming in.”

The game didn't start as a runaway, going scoreless throughout most of the first quarter.

That changed when linebacker Dylan Hochbein knocked the ball out of Shady Side quarterback Donald Szlachetka's hands at the Indians' three-yard line. Junior lineman Noah Freeman took advantage and jumped on the ball for a Jackets' touchdown.

On the ensuing Indians possession, Szlachetka lost the ball again as defensive back Justin Brestensky punched the ball out for another fumble. Linebacker Josh Beahle recovered the ball near the Shady Side 36-yard line.

To add to the resume, linebacker Logan Thimons, who committed to the University of West Virginia earlier this year, had three tackles and two sacks.

“It was very physical. They were filled with emotion,” Gaillot said on his defense. “I expect even better things to come.”

An eight-play drive for Freeport ended with an eight-yard run by running back Ian Miller.

Miller ran for 57 yards on 16 carries Friday night with three touchdowns.

“The line's coming. We're young up front,” Gaillot said. “Hopefully we can establish the run even more.”

Shady Side tried amassing a comeback in the second quarter. After receiving the ball near midfield, the Indians drove down the field for a four-minute drive. A defining play was a handoff from Szlachetka to wide receiver Chris Woodings, who threw to wide receiver Clayton Krol at the 1-yard line. Running back Eric Harris punched it in for the Indians' lone score of the game.

From there, Freeport answered back with a Miller 12-yard touchdown in just over two and a half minutes.

“We got a serious butt kicking,” Shady Side coach Dave Havern. “They moved us around. We have two choices right now. Either we sit here and take it or we stand up, be like men and come back next week.”

Freeport quarterback Ryan Weigold went eight for 15 for 247 yards. After passing for just 103 yards in the first half, he attempted just two passes in the second half, both completed for long gains.

The first came with about 8:50 left in the third quarter when he connected with wide receiver Brandon Hochbein for a 75-yard touchdown pass. The other came on the next Yellowjackets possession when Weigold found Dylan Hochbein for a 66-yard pass, capped by a Miller four-yard touchdown run.

“He's just being an athlete,” Gaillot said. “Ryan just bought more time by scrambling around and that made receivers break off their routes and become open.”

The Hochbein brothers combined for 181 yards passing on four receptions. Brandon Hochbein also ran the ball three times for eight yards.

Gaillot said the team was more balanced Friday night between the passing and rushing games than ever last year.

He said the one thing that needs improved is penalties. The Yellowjackets had eight penalties on the night for 50 yards.

Freeport hosts Summit Academy next Friday.