Freeport's 21-7 loss to Ford City last week was not the way coach Bill Dillen wanted to kick off the Allegheny Conference schedule.

It doesn't get any easier Friday as the Yellowjackets host Kittanning at 7:30 p.m.

The Wildcats (2-1, 1-0) are fresh off a 41-12 drubbing of Shady Side Academy, thanks to a 103-yard, three-touchdown rushing effort by Ryan Sheperd.

Lee Sasala added a pair of rushing scores and Jared Bowser caught a 19-yard pass from Colin McKelvey as Bowser added five extra points.

(Sheperd's) very strong and quick and has nice size," said Dillen. "(Sasala), he's a speed back. He was one of their sprint relay guys so he's quick."

In three games this season, Freeport (1-2, 0-1) has allowed 35 points but has scored just 31.

"It's not going to be easy," said Dillen. "We keep making too many young-kid mistakes. We've been in the red zone eight times in three games and only have two field goals."

Freeport's lone score against the Sabers last week came on a 27-yard scoring strike from Bryan Zimmerman to Josh Schrecengost, the third scoring pass in as many games for the duo.

Grove City (2-0) at Reynolds (2-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

- Attention everyone in Eagles Nation: Don't fret about Jesse Alfreno any longer.

After completing just 1-of-9 passes in the season opener against Harbor Creek, the Grove City High School senior quarterback found his rhythm against Greenville in his second under center, going 6 of 11 for 142 yards and a touchdown.

"We went back and we did some things, ran some plays in the game early that he could complete to get his confidence," said Grove City coach Jeff Bell. "Later in the game, he hit some big plays. I think now he's feeling a little more comfortable."

It helped that Greenville was stacking the line to stop the run, almost daring Alfreno and the Eagles to pass.

This week, they will face another stiff test.

When Grove City (2-0) hits the road to play Reynolds this week for a 7 p.m. kickoff, the Eagles will face a defense that limited Slippery Rock to fewer than 100 yards of offense in a 15-2 win.

Reynolds is also 2-0 and will have its quarterback, Cory Shaffer, back in the lineup.

That may change a few things, Bell said.

"I think they were limited in what they could do because their quarterback was out," Bell said.

Last year, Grove City shut out Reynolds to begin its run toward the state championship game.

"This year, it's a little different situation," Bell said. "We're 2-0 and they're 2-0 and that worries me a little bit.

"Last year, our backs were against the wall and we went into that game as a must-win. We need to forget about the record and go after them like we are 0-2."

Grove City's defense played well in spurts again, limiting Greenville to fewer than 100 yards in the first half before coughing up chunks of yardage in the final two quarters.

That helped the Trojans turn a 20-0 deficit into a 20-12 game.

And it didn't make Bell very happy.

"We went into a kind of a funk and let them get back into the game," Bell said.

But Alfreno hit Dan Sonntag with a 49-yard scoring strike in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

Alfreno also had touchdown runs of 4 and 34 yards.

This week figures to offer another big test for Grove City on both sides of the ball.

"This is the best team we've faced yet," Bell said.

If it comes down to the wire, Bell has confidence in his kicking game.

And why not? Place kicker Gordon Craig has already made three field goals this season, including two against Greenville.

Craig has also been impressive on kickoffs.

"Our kicker - he's just been unbelievable," Bell said. "He's been kicking the ball into the end zone on kickoffs. This is his first year of kicking and he worked at it all summer. He's a hard worker and listens to what you tell him."

Keystone (0-2) at Union (0-2), Friday, 7 p.m

. - The Golden Knights have only scored six points this season and have coughed up 94.

Keystone has only scored 15 points while giving up 46.

Union's lone bright spot this season has been Colton Davis, who rumbled for 130 yards on 24 carries in a 61-6 loss to Redbank Valley.

Neshannock (1-2, 0-1) at Summit Academy (1-2, 0-1), Saturday, 12:30 p.m. -

The Lancers enter the game after a 38-14 loss to Shenango in its Tri-County North opener last Friday.

P.J. Horne's 92-yard kickoff return in the second quarter tied the game at 7-all, which stood up at halftime. Horne also passed for 114 yards, completing 7 of 12 passes.

The Knights are coming off a 36-6 loss to Mohawk, despite 154 yards passing from Earl Zarpele. Alvin McGhie's 28 yard scoring opass to Kasil Butler in the fourth quarter prevented the shutout.