FREEPORT - This time the defense wasn't enough.

Freeport (2-1) didn't allow an offensive touchdown, but the Yellowjackets still lost to Allegheny Conference rival Ford City, 13-6, in high school football Friday.

A 27-yard interception return by Jesse Stivason and a 70-yard punt return by Aaron Bell were all the scoring the Sabers would need to improve to 2-1 on the season.

Freeport, which blanked its first two opponents, appeared to be headed for a third straight victory when Nate Kurtz capped a 6-play, 60-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run on the Yellowjackets' opening drive.

The key play came when quarterback Kiel Conjack and wide receiver Jake Lassinger hooked up for a 44-yard completion that brought Freeport deep into Ford City territory. Kurtz's third try from inside the 15 put the Yellowjackets on the board.

Despite several chances, Freeport didn't score again.

The Conjack-Lassinger combination came through again later in the first quarter, this time for 32 yards. But Ford City's defense prevented Kurtz from getting closer than the six, setting up a 23-yard field goal attempt for Mike Zeidler.

Ford City's special teams blocked Zeidler's PAT attempt earlier - and did likewise on this field goal attempt.

Ford City's Jesse Stivason grabbed Conjack's third interception with 4:08 remaining in the opening half, taking it 27 yards for the score.

Ford City head coach, John Bartolovic said his primary concern heading into the second half was his defense's execution.

"We had too many mental mistakes early on," Bartolovic said. "There were a few times our defense executed the wrong call."

His secondary held the Freeport passing game to just eight yards in the second half. The Sabers' front line, which gave up 66 yards to Kurtz in the first half, held him to just 18 in the second.

Freeport head coach Bill Dillen praised Ford City's rush defense.

"We knew they were big up front. They did a great job of forcing us to run outside," he said.

Freeport got one last chance to tie the game. With 6:06 remaining, the Yellowjackets were able to muster a drive that took them to the Ford City 21-yard line.

On a crucial fourth-and-12 from the 21, Conjack threw an incomplete pass in the end zone, but referees called a roughing-the-passer penalty that gave the Yellowjackets new life.

Just when the Ford City defense seemed to be breaking, it held tough as Aaron Bell's sack for a 17-yard loss on fourth-and-seven with under a minute remaining ended Freeport's chances.

"I was most proud of the way our defense was able to come back after the (roughing the passer) penalty," Bartolovic said.