Getting defensive
FREEPORT — Tom Henderson has returned to coach the Burrell program after a two-year hiatus, and he's returned the team to serious-threat status in the Allegheny Conference as well.
Freeport, which has enjoyed its own taste of early season success, will try to slow the host Bucs in a 7:30 p.m. contest Friday. Both teams enter the game with identical 2-1 records.
"We were really optimistic," said Freeport coach John Gaillot. "We keep getting better every day. The wins and losses will fall into place."
Henderson was unsure of what he would find in his second stint on the Burrell sideline.
"What the expectations were, I didn't know because we didn't know what we had," said Henderson, who guided the Bucs to a 96-45 record in 13 years in his first stint with the team. "We just hope to prepare the kids the best that we can."
Henderson either won or shared a conference title seven times with Burrell the first time around. This year, he has led the Bucs, who went 8-10 the past two years under Dave Heavner, to a 102-28 advantage in points through three games.
The team blanked West Shamokin, 34-0, then fell to Deer Lakes, 21-20, before last Friday's 48-7 win over Summit Academy.
Against the Knights, quarterback Camren Nelson completed 8-of-9 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 142 yards and three more scores.
"Camren is getting better all the time," said Henderson. "He's working hard. He has good stats, but his demeanor is what I'm impressed with. He takes everything in stride and is very coachable."
Troy Highfield also shined last week, catching all three scoring passes and four overall for 240 yards. He's the team's top running back and is one of the few returning letterwinners from a senior-laden team a year ago. He rushed for 490 yards in 2007.
(Highfield's) a leader," said Henderson. "He adds another weapon with a lot of experience. He's just a good athlete."
Another offensive weapon the Yellowjackets must contend with is receiver David Yakopec.
Gaillot has been pleased with the performance of his defense, which certainly will be put to the test Friday.
"We've taken a lot of pride with our defense," said Gaillot, whose team is coming off a 25-0 shutout over Apollo-Ridge, allowing only 49 total yards, and has surrendered just 25 points in three games.
"At the beginning of the year, the defense is always ahead of where the offense is. We just need to keep getting better."
Junior Alex Isenberg has done a solid job in his first year as a starting quarterback, including a 9-for-16 performance for 140 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-7 season-opening victory over Kittanning.
"I'm surprised by how far he's come," said Gaillot. "He's a natural leader, which is one of the big reasons why we went with him."
Against the Vikings, Freeport used a balanced offensive attack, receiving rushing scores from Andy Teorsky, Austin Shockey and Tom Blythe.
Preparing for the Bucs will be a bigger chore, however.
"CoachHenderson is a great offensive mind," said Gaillot. "We have a lot to prepare for defensively."
