NEW KENSINGTON —Honoring its only squad to ever complete an undefeated regular season, Valley showed up in its football matchup with Freeport Friday evening.

The Yellowjackets' (1-0, 2-3) opportunistic defense foiled the homecoming by helping put up 26 third quarter points—including two pick-sixes—in a 33-6 road triumph.

“I feel like our team is kind of built around our defense and our offense wasn't doing much in the first half,” Freeport senior Vincent Clark said. “I feel like a defensive touchdown is twice the momentum of an offensive touchdown.”

Valley (0-3, 0-6) crawled out to a slow start on offense, but stayed in the game as Freeport squandered early opportunities to get ahead.

Little over midway through the first quarter, junior Ben Lane, starting behind center for the Yellowjackets, lofted a pass deep. The football wobbled in mid-air, but it didn't matter. Senior Vincent Clark had slipped behind the Vikings' secondary, pulling it in for a 28-yard score.

After the hosts went three-and-out for the third time in as many possessions, the 'Jackets embarked on a 12-play drive that would ultimately end in Clark's 30-yard field goal attempt sailing wide right.

Freeport entered halftime with the score stuck at 7-0.

Still, out of the half, the Vikings would have their chances. They caught the 'Jackets off guard in opening the second half with a successful onside kick. The momentum went up in smoke, though, as their offense failed to get anything going.

Then, Freeport wasted an 11-play march as Clark missed another field goal.

During the break, with the offense spinning its wheels for much of the first 24 minutes, Freeport's coaches challenged their defense to put up some points, Clark said. It was then that the unit answered the call.

Parker Lucas fell on a Valley fumble two plays later, leading to Lane taking a designed keeper into the end zone shortly thereafter.

On the next play from scrimmage, Zach Clark intercepted a pass and returned it for a score. Not 30 seconds later, it was Vincent Clark's turn to jump a pass, navigate the left sideline, and take the football to the house.

“With our defense having two pick-sixes, it just lights the fire,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said. “Our defense played very well again. It's our M.O.”

After another takeaway, Zach Clark would take a handoff 20 yards and score again before the quarter ended.

The Vikings' Jayden Richter dodged a shutout by scooping up a bobbled snap in the fourth quarter and bringing it back for the team's only points of the night.

Freeport 7 0 26 0 — 33

Valley 0 0 0 6 — 6

First Quarter

F — Vincent Clark 28 pass from Ben Lane (Clark kick), 5:28

Third Quarter

F — Lane 14 run (Clark kick), 2:53

F — Zach Clark 47 interception return (kick failed), 2:29

F — Vincent Clark 52 interception return (kick failed), 2:02

F — Zach Clark 20 run (Vincent Clark kick), :55

Fourth Quarter

V — Jayden Richter 33 fumble return (run failed), 7:27

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Freeport, Shane Jackson 14-69, Ben Lane 5-58, Garrett King 5-33, Zach Clark 5-16, Vincent Clark 1-11, Shawn Stivenson 2-0, TEAM 1-(-3). Valley, Xavier Wilson 12-40, Jayden Richter 5-10, Zaire Warren 2-(-5), Tristin Goodwin 6-(-19), TEAM 2-(-22).

Passing: Freeport, Ben Lane 4-9-63-0, Garrett King 0-1-0-0. Valley, Tristin Goodwin 3-14-6-2, Xavier Wilson 0-1-0-1.

Receiving: Freeport, Vincent Clrk 3-32, Shawn Stivenson 1-29. Valley, Zaire Warren 1-3, Xavier Wilson 1-(-2), Domanick Simmons 1-5.