Freeport renews familiar rivalry
This is one in a series of previews of Butler County area high school football games this FridayJohn Gaillot can appreciate history.Freeport’s head football coach recalled a game at Deer Lakes when he was an elementary school student in the Freeport district.“We couldn’t go to the game that night, so I listened on the radio and we had a goal-line stand to beat them in the final seconds,” Gaillot said. “These teams have been playing each other for a long time.”The 78th edition of the rivalry takes place Friday night when the Yellowjackets (1-0) travel to Deer Lakes (0-1) for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Freeport hasn’t played since a 43-6 trouncing of Yough in Week Zero while the Lancers are coming off a 34-21 loss to Apollo-Ridge last week.Jared Colton, Aris Hasley and Jack Hollibaugh all scored touchdowns for Deer Lakes last week. Freeport quarterback Austin Romanchak had 12 carries for 205 yards and four TDs vs. Yough. He also returned an interception for a touchdown in that game.“Our line was terrific in that game,” Gaillot said. “Patrick Keeley, Chancelour Jones, Garrett Schaffhauser all had strong games. We had a few sacks and forced two interceptions.“Pierce Craven, our sophomore nose guard, made his first varsity start and controlled the line of scrimmage by getting leverage on a 325-pound kid. That was great to see.”Romanchak’s big game may open up other aspects of the Yellowjackets’ offense this week and in coming weeks.“We’ve tweaked some things, put in a few wrinkles,” Gaillot said. “The extra week off isn’’t bothering us. We’re still getting better every day.”Freeport leads the all-time series 44-38-5, including a 38-6 win last year.Redbank Valley (1-0) at Karns City (0-2)7 p.m., FridayThe Gremlins are 0-2 for the first time since 1995, when they started the season 0-5.Karns City leads the series against the Bulldogs 27-20-1, including a 34-12 victory last year. The Gremlins have not lost to Redbank since dropping a 28-14 decision in 2010.KC quarterback Anthony Kamenski has completed just 10 of 27 passes for 93 yards through two games. The Gremlins did get the running game going in last week’s 40-28 loss at Brookville as Dalton Beham rushed for 76 yards and two touchdowns, Mitchell Kelsea 63 yards and two TDs.Redbank opened the season with a 55-38 win over Keystone. Clint Thurston rushed for 231 yards and six TDs in that game. Keaton Kahle completed six of 14 passes for 65 yards and Brock Barrett had five catches for 57 yards.Slippery Rock (1-1, 1-1)at Hickory (1-1, 1-1)7 p.m., FridayThe Rockets are still trying to find their way on offense after getting blanked last week, 17-0, at home by Greenville.There were some signs of life from that unit, however, and the two-headed quarterback tandem of Jake Shaffer and Vito Pilosi should split time again.The duo has combined to throw for 145 yards this season.Patrick Shea leads the Slippery Rock receiving corps with six receptions and Kaleb Kamerer has rushed for 77 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown this season.Hickory is coming off a 62-7 whitewash of Mercer a week after suffering a one-point setback to Greenville.Simeon McKinley leads the way on the ground for the Hornets with 113 yards on 21 rushing attempts.Quarterback Hayden Gallagher has passed for 257 yards and three touchdowns.Grove City (2-0, 1-0)at Conneaut (2-0, 1-0)7 p.m., FridayThis is a big early-season region matchup for both teams.Grove City has picked up where it left off last season with an eclectic offense full of weapons.Junior quarterback Brady Callahan has completed 22-of-27 passes for 239 yards this season.Grove City’s biggest weapon, though, has been junior Logan Lutz, who has eight receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown and has also rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns on only 16 carries out of the wildcat formation.Grove City, which will be playing its third consecutive road game in its third different county, has outscored its two opponents this season (General McLane and Warren) 77-9 this season.Conneaut has gotten off to a good start in large part on the back of Bailey Kersnick, who has rushed for 301 yards and for touchdowns on just 23 attempts and has also caught four passes for 81 yards and another score.Quarterback Kyle Sheets, who was Conneaut’s leading receiver last season, has connected on 13-of-22 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also a dangerous runner, gaining 123 yards on 13 attempts and adding four more scores.Conneaut has outscored its two opponents this season (Fairview and DuBois) 90-20.C.W. North Cath. (1-1, 1-0)at Mohawk (1-0, 1-0)7 p.m., FridayThe Trojans upset Neshannock last Friday, 12-7, with sophomore QB Zach Rocco throwing two TD passes. The Trojans’ defensive effort was a complete 180 from Week Zero, when CWNC lost 55-21 to Quaker Valley.RB Braydon Cameron tallied 91 rushing yards and scored all three of Mohawk’s TDs in last week’s 20-14 victory against Laurel.CWNC claimed a 54-6 decision over Mohawk last year.Union/A-C Valley (0-2, 0-1)at Keystone (0-1, 0-1)7 p.m., FridayThis game has shootout written all over it. The Falcon Knights have allowed 90 points in two games, including last week’s 40-14 setback to Clarion-Limestone.Union/ACV running back Greg Duncan has rushed for over 100 yards in back-to-back games, currently owning 248 yards and a touchdown.QB Lucas Bowser has passed for 230 yards, two TDs and one INT.Keystone opened the season with a 55-38 loss to Redbank Valley.Panther senior QB Nate Wingard passed for 269 yards, three TDs and one interception in defeat, connecting with six different receivers in the process. WR Corey Rapp caught seven passes for 158 yards and a TD. He added five rushes for 47 yards and another score.The Falcon Knights beat Keystone last year 54-14.Summit Academy (0-1, 0-1)at Rochester (1-0, 1-0)7:30 p.m., FridayThe Knights suffered a 27-22 Big Seven Conference defeat at Western Beaver last Saturday.Summit’s two QBs both contributed. Bailey Krall rushed 62 yards for one score while Delano Brown hooked up with Jaylon Ketchum for a 9-yard TD. WR Antonio White scored on a 77-yard run.Rochester picked up a 36-7 victory at Shenango last week. The Rams defeated Summit Academy last season 42-18.
