Freeport runs over Mount Pleasant, 41-7
BUFFALO TWP — Freeport center Garrett Ben doesn't care who carries the football. Whoever gets the ball, Ben and his teammates on the offensive line are going to open up space.
“Absolutely,” Ben said. “We have a lot of confidence going forward.”
Austin Romanchak, Isiah Bauman and Conor Selinger all found ample running room during the Yellowjackets' 41-7 Big East Conference win Friday over Mount Pleasant at Freeport Area Athletic Stadium.
Most times, the Yellowjackets' ball carriers didn't have too far to go.
Four times Freeport, which has won five straight games, started offensive possessions in Viking territory. The Yellowjackets (5-3, 5-3) capped all four short drives with touchdowns.
With the win, Freeport clinched a spot in the WPIAL playoffs.
“We are really starting to click offensively,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said. “With a lot of younger kids at positions, it took a long time to get that jell. I really like what I'm seeing.”
The Yellowjackets gained 262 yards on the ground and outgained Mount Pleasant 310-102.
Freeport started with three strong runs, then was derailed momentarily by a lost fumble. The Vikings (1-8, 1-6) couldn't capitalize on their early fortune.
Mount Pleasant was hit with five penalties on its first drive and had a touchdown called back by a penalty.
“Can't have it,” Mount Pleasant coach Jason Fazekas said. “In the beginning, we had penalties on every possession. You can't do it. The touchdown that was called back was a big one. I don't think it made a difference, but it makes the game different from that point.”
Freeport changed the game following a 37-yard run from Isiah Bauman late in the first quarter.
On the next play, Romanchak kept the ball on a run-pass option, going 36 yards to put Freeport ahead 7-0 with 46 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Yellowjackets' approach to moving the ball was simple.
“Just get a good push and drive the ball down their throats,” Ben said. “We were able to get down there and score.”
After forcing a Mount Pleasant punt, the Yellowjackets doubled their lead with a 14-yard touchdown run by Conor Selinger.
It was the start of a big second quarter for Selinger. Selinger scored three times and finished with 46 yards on the ground.
“We missed some blocks here or there, but there were big holes opening up,” Gaillot said. “They are getting better. We have four underclassmen in there and three of them are first-year starters. I'm excited about that.”
Freeport would add two more touchdowns in the third quarter. Evan McCrea hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass and Romanchak scored on a 1-yard run.
Romanchak finished with 115 yards on 17 carries.
Mount Pleasant scored its lone touchdown late in the fourth quarter when Jacob Johnson hauled in a 9-yard pass from Asher O'Connor.
Mount Pleasant 0 0 0 7 — 7Freeport 7 21 13 0 — 41First QuarterF — Austin Romanchak 36 run (Ricky Hunter kick), :46Second QuarterF — Conor Selinger 14 run (Hunter kick), 10:10F — Selinger 2 run (Hunter kick), 7:10F — Selinger 1 run (Hunter kick), 3:14Third QuarterF — Evan McCrea 14 pass from Romanchak (kick failed), 9:05F — Romanchak 1 run (Abbey Harbinson kick), 3:39Fourth QuarterMP — Jacob Johnson 9 pass from Asher O'Connor (Bradley Tait kick), 2:27Individual StatisticsRushing: Mount Pleasant, Jacob Johnson 12-39, Aarion Alakson 3-24, Donovan Bair 5-9, Lucas Pieszak 5-(-21), Alex Kadylak 1-(-2). Freeport, Autin Romnanchak 17-115, Isaiah Bauman 3-82, Conor Selinger 9-46, Jalen Brown 1-11, Ricky Hunter 4-5, Garrett King 1-1.Passing: Mount Pleasant, Jacob Johnson 2-2-3-0, Lucas Pieszak 6-11-41-0, Asher O'Connor 1-2-9-0. Freeport, Austin Romanchak 5-8-48-0.Receiving: Mount Pleasant, Donovan Bair 2-22, Jacob Johnson 3-17, Zac Sellinger 2-4, Jordan Pieszack 1-1. Freeport, Garret Schaffhauser 1-20, Evan McCrea 2-19, Brodey Woods 2-9.
