Freeport to meet West Mifflin in playoff quarterfinal
BUFFALO TWP — There are benefits to having a week off — such as the extra time to rest up or get a leg up with game planning. Momentum doesn’t always carry through a lull, though.
Without knowing who their next on-field foe would be, Freeport had to create its own sense of urgency. Knowing now that they’ll be entertaining West Mifflin in Friday night’s WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal, the Yellowjackets will find out if they’ve kept their head of steam.
“I would rather play the whole way through than have a bye,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said. “We weren’t really banged up ... We were on a roll, so we tried to simulate practice like game situations as much as we could. We’re ready to go.”
The ‘Jackets (9-1) set down their previous three challengers by a combined 146-29 score. They’ve won each of their last six outings, due in large part because of an overpowering offense and a stiff defense.
“That’s more of our staple or our footprint there,” Gaillot said of his defense. “I really liked how we kind of changed the way we look at things on offense, with being aggressive and the blocking schemes and stuff like that.
“We made very large strides with being more physical on that side of the ball than we have been.”
Contact was a large point of emphasis over the past couple of weeks of practice.
“We still wanted to continue to hit because we didn’t want to wait two weeks between two games and come out (flat),” Gaillot said. “It was a lot of live stuff, tackling stations, stuff like that.”
The Titans (6-5) have rounded into form, as well, after dropping their first three games of the season — to McKeesport, Elizabeth Forward, and Thomas Jefferson. Each of those teams are also playing in the District 7 quarterfinals Friday night.
“Physically, we were playing with those teams — and they’ve got some big monsters,” West Mifflin coach Rod Steele said. “They’re big, strong, physical football teams ... I think we’re battle-tested.”
Injuries on the offensive line, namely, threw a wrench into things early on for the Titans. Sophomore tackle Jaiden Brown-Demery was lost for the remainder of the year with a knee injury; then his backup, freshman Ethan Thomas, also went down with a leg injury.
Dealing with those losses, along with a switch behind center, required an adjustment period.
“It just took a little bit longer than expected because of moving parts and having some guys get in a position to get some experience, but I like the way the guys are competing and playing right now,” Steele said.
Senior Shai Newby began the campaign as a wideout before being moved to quarterback, where he’d played as a sophomore. He’s posted 1,368 passing yards and added 542 on the ground, accounting for roughly 20 scores.
“We put him back there and I think that guys just got comfortable in their positions,” Steele said. “We’ve been able to pretty balanced as far as our run and pass.”
He has an arsenal of weapons that includes senior receivers Tyjier Williams and Peyton Yuhas and sophomore tailback Richie Fix.
West Mifflin beat Southmoreland, 54-28, in their first-round matchup last Friday. The output marked the fourth time in five tries that the Titans had pinned up at least 42 points.
The weather might have a say in things this time around, however. Heavy rain might be in the cards as a remnant of a tropical system.
“We practiced all week with a wet ball,” Gaillot said. “We’d just dip it in a bucket of water every play and the quarterback had to throw it wet.”
Steele isn’t too concerned, either, about precipitation being a factor.
“At the end of the day, the weather is the weather,” “Both teams are playing in the elements ... I don’t think it’s an advantage or a disadvantage.”
Freeport will be playing at home, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
