FREEPORT — The Freeport football team needed to get back to the basics after last week's loss to Highlands, according to head football coach John Gaillot.

That's exactly what they did against Quaker Valley, winning 26-0.

The Yellowjackets found success running the ball early and often with junior running back Damon Smith leading the team with 131 yards on 19 carries.

Smith was able to break off two long runs, one 40-yard run in the first quarter, and another 27-yard run in the third. The junior running back was also able to find his way into the end zone twice.

Freeport was having so much success in the running game, the team only dropped back to pass the ball three times the entire game, compared to the 24 times Quaker Valley did.

Gaillot said he was very pleased with the way his team performed against the Quakers.

“We got away from the pass and just did what we do well and ran the ball,” Gaillot said.

The Freeport offense also had great field position the entire night, thanks to punt returner Dustin Koedel. The junior had punt returns of 41, 53, and 34 yards Friday.

To go along with a successful running game and good field position, the Yellowjacket defense was almost impossible to move the ball against, holding the Quakers to 32 rushing yards on 34 carries.

The Freeport defense was able to get pressure on Quaker Valley's junior quarterback Burke Moser, something Quaker coach John Tortorea was not happy about.

“The offensive line has to improve completely,” Tortorea said. “This week was a major disappointment. We have an excellent quarterback who when he has time could be a major weapon, but he can't be a weapon when he's on his back.”

Tortorea liked the fight his players had.

“Historically Quaker Valley would've rolled over in the past and let it get ridiculous,” Tortorea said. “Freeport's a great team, but we hung in there.”

Quaker Valley put together an impressive drive in the middle of the fourth quarter that included passes of 9, 12, and 46 yards by Moser.

Moser threw a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Jordan Vescio, that got called back on a penalty and kept the Quakers off the board.

“We had a couple weird, strange situations,” Tortorea said. “We scored and it got called back on some phantom penalty.”