BUFFALO TWP — Freeport’s 52-16 gridiron loss to Armstrong Friday night was a lot of things.

It was the first time a visiting opponent defeated the Yellowjackets (2-3) in eight tries. It was the most points Freeport had given up since allowing Aliquippa to pin up 50 in 2017. On top of that, it was only instance in which the ‘Jackets conceded that many points at home since a 60-6 loss to Washington High in 2012.

The “was” isn’t much of an indication what will be, ‘Jackets coach John Gaillot will tell you.

“Good things are going to happen,” he said. “We just, you know, we take our lumps. We were top dog last year. Now, it’s just trying to claw our way back up.”

Freeport held a 9-3 lead entering the second quarter, but a steady River Hawks (3-1) attack scored on four consecutive possessions during the middle frames to build a 29-point third quarter edge before the hosts put up their first offensive score.

“I feel like, in the second half, the difference was we were finishing our drives,” Armstrong coach Frank Fabian said. “In the first half, we were moving the ball like we wanted to. ... They (Freeport) forced a field goal, then they stopped us the one drive.”

The ‘Jackets had early opportunities. Madden Wisniewski’s 56-yard kick return to open the game set the team up in solid position to do damage. Colton Otterman helped get the offense to the 1-yard line before being was stuffed by the visitors’ Rex Harmon on back-to-back totes, including a fourth down try.

A River Hawks three-and-out gave Freeport another shot, but what would’ve been a passing score from Drew Ross to Wisniewski was called back on a holding penalty. The ‘Jackets had to settle for a 20-yard Cole Troutman field goal.

Trailing by a point with just over a minute left in the initial half, Freeport allowed the guests’ offense to march 75 yards in a three-play sequence, capped by a touchdown pass from Colt Sprankle to Chase Jablonski.

“We were there,” Gaillot said. “We lasted a little bit longer than last year. We hung in there. It would’ve been nice if we were down by one (score) going into the half.”

Alex Patton punched it in for Armstrong out of two and a half minutes out of halftime, then Sprankle followed a ‘Jackets three-and-out with a 39-yard strike to Kyan Kline. A successful onside kick led to Sprankle scampering in less than a minute after that.

Ross hit Wisniewski for a four-yard score on the ensuing series. Freeport’s other touchdown came in the first frame on a 91-yard kick return by Cyprian Selinger.

A combination of quick passes and deep shots worked to the River Hawks’ advantage. Patton powered through the middle of the ‘Jackets defense on multiple occasions.

“We moved guys around and gave some guys some chances tonight,” Fabian said. “Our offense, it’s what we do. We felt like the strength coming back this year was our wide receiving corps. ... But, when a team gives us a look we want, we’ve got Alex Patton in there.

“It’s kind of ‘pick your poison.’ We want to take what the defense gives us.”

Freeport visits non-conference foe Mt. Pleasant next Friday, then begins section play against Shady Side Academy the following week.

“The scoreboard really doesn’t tell the tale of how hard we played,” he said. “That’s a very good team. Very, very good. They’re going go deep. ... We’re trying to get everything going, getting these young kids up.

“I honestly couldn’t be prouder of the effort and the way they played, how they kept fighting.”

Armstrong 3 14 28 7 — 52

Freeport 9 0 7 0— 16

First Quarter

F — Cole Troutman 20 field goal, 5:01

A — Hunter Reed 27 field goal, 1:51

F — Cyprian Selinger 91 kick return (Troutman kick blocked), 1:33

Second Quarter

A — Kyan Kline 17 pass from Colt Sprankle (Reed kick), 11:53

A — Chase Jablonski 12 pass from Sprankle (Reed kick), 0:24

Third Quarter

A — Alex Patton 2 run (Reed kick), 9:36

A — Kline 39 pass from Sprankle (Reed kick), 7:35

A — Sprankle 5 run (Reed kick), 6:47

F — Madden Wisniewski 4 pass from Drew Ross (Troutman kick), 3:05

A — Ian Olsen 66 pass from Sprankle (Reed kick), 2:20

Fourth Quarter

A — Jaydon Oliver 37 run (Reed kick), 10:46

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Armstrong, Alex Patton 16-114, Jaydon Oliver 4-59, Colt Sprankle 4-32, Phoenix Wynkoop 3-14, Isaiah Greenia 4-4. Freeport, Colton Otterman 15-60, Braydon Poyambo 9-40, Drew Ross 5-11, Anthony O’Donnell 1-2.

Passing: Armstrong, Colt Sprankle 13-18-277-0, Jaydon Oliver 5-6-10-0. Freeport, Drew Ross 8-12-164-0, Danny King 1-2-8-0.

Receiving: Armstrong, Ian Olsen 8-159, Kyan Kline 3-89, Chase Jablonski 2-27, Xavier Williams 2-6, Joe Bartolowits 2-5, Zane Jordan 1-1. Freeport, Madden Wisniewski 4-72, Cyprian Selinger 2-60, Braydon Poyambo 1-16, Brady Sullivan 1-16, Bryson Paga 1-8.