FORD CITY - For the second week in a row, Freeport was stung by the same problem.

Unfortunately for the Yellowjackets, that nagging problem cost them the game Friday in a 21-7 loss.

Freeport, which came away empty three times inside the red zone last week in a 17-0 win over McGuffey, failed to produce points in the red zone again, coming up empty on two trips.

"We're going to have to correct that," Freeport coach Bill Dillen said. "We have to start holding our blocks. That's the bottom line."

Down 14-0 early in the fourth quarter, the Yellowjackets found themselves with a first-and-goal inside the Ford City 10. Four plays - a two-yard loss and three incompletions - later, Freeport turned the ball over on downs.

"When we get down inside there, we have to be able to score," Dillen said.

Ford City (2-1 overall, 1-0 Allegheny Conference) used the defensive stand to regain momentum. The Sabers put the game out of reach on the strength of quarterback Jesse Stivason's 70-yard touchdown run.

"It was a naked boot," Sabers coach John Bartolovic said. "It was a little risky, but we did have the lead at that point. Plus, (Stivason) is quick enough to make some people miss."

"I saw (Freeport's safety) coming across the field, and I just took off as fast as I could go," Stivason said.

The red-zone woes were the least of Freeport's concerns. The Yellowjackets (1-2, 0-1) gave Ford City four first downs and 28 free yards on its first possession. The Sabers took advantage with a 15-play, 80-yard drive. Derek Bush capped the series with a 3-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.

"I'm not going to use that (penalties) as an excuse," Dillen said. "Absolutely not."

Freeport picked up the pace in the second half. The 'Jackets didn't commit a penalty and outgained Ford City, 193-124.

"We didn't play," Dillen said. "Once they learn to play a full game, we'll be better off. They have to learn that. It has to get to the point where we just have to start picking it up a little bit. We have to play both halves."

Despite Freeport quarterback Bryan Zimmerman throwing for 164 yards and a touchdown, Dillen said running the ball is the key to his team's success.

"We had a couple nice drives, But we're not sustaining our blocks long enough to run the football," he said. We have to be able to run the football some. We can't just load up and throw the ball on every down."

Zimmerman threw for 133 yards in the second half, but Bartolovic said he isn't overly concerned about problems in his secondary.

"We loosened up there some," he said. "It does (worry me) somewhat, but we had a couple people out, and the kids that got beat out there were kind of weaker links for us."

Next week Freeport returns home to meet Kittanning while Ford City is on the road at state-ranked and conference-favorite Burrell.