Freeport reloads, aims to compete in section again
BUFFALO TWP — Graduating what Freeport did from its WPIAL Class 3A semifinal team, the defending Allegheny Six Conference champion Yellowjackets figure to take a step back.
Or do they?
“We’re really excited,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said. “(The kids) are above and beyond what we anticipated coming in. We’ve just got to keep it rolling, what we’re doing. The kids are really excited, and we’re just running around everywhere.”
The ‘Jackets don’t return their leader in any major statistical category, save for last year’s sacks leader, senior outside linebacker Colton Otterman.
“We’ve got a lot of younger kids coming up,” Otterman said. “But with us winning a lot of games last year, a lot of younger kids got to come in and play a little bit on Friday nights, so I feel like they’re a little bit more comfortable. ... It hurts losing a lot, but we trust within our teammates this year and we’re going to see what we can do.”
One large key, Gaillot said, is avoiding injuries. Along with that, a quick start would breed confidence, especially among the underclassmen.
“We’ve got to come out of the gate (quickly),” he said. “We’ve got to match what we did last year. ... A lot of these kids are athletic, but they just don’t have that varsity speed, that varsity experience yet.”
John Alerich comes from Fox Chapel to help with a comparatively unacquainted attack.
“It’s pretty much what we did last year, but there’s some wrinkles,” Gaillot said. “They picked up the wrinkles really quick.”
Junior Sean Selinger, sophomore Drew Ross, and freshman Danny King are competing to be the team’s triggerman. Ross’ play in camp so far has resembled that of last year’s quarterback, Gavin Croney. He and King are mobile signal-callers, while Selinger’s arm is his most noticeable strength.
“We’re just going to go with the hot hand,” Gaillot said. “We’ve just got to go game-by-game, basically — until someone really takes a hold of it.”
Senior Justin Jack figures to be a bruiser as the ‘Jackets’ primary ball carrier. He added weight to his frame over the off-season, but only had one tote for six yards last go-round. Sophomore Dawson Gaillot will spell him.
Seniors Isaac Woods and Brady Paga return to pave the way, at guard and tackle, respectively. Sophomore Wade Potocnak will be the fulcrum of the offensive line, and junior Matthew Wallisch, sophomore Colton Mellish, and freshman Cameron Manke are in the mix to fill the front out.
“We’re heavier than what we normally are here at Freeport,” Gaillot said. “Usually, we’re all skinny the whole way down. ... Our line is actually pretty stout. Not huge, but they’ve got some weight that they can push around.”
Paga and Woods will likely play both ways, lining up at the tackle spots on the defensive side. Junior Sam Austin, who bench presses over 300 pounds, will switch in on the line, as well.
Otterman’s spot is etched in stone, Gaillot said. He’ll be sent off the edge and will aim to stretch his school record for career sacks.
“Defense has always been our staple here,” Gaillot said. “Coach (Todd) Durand, he’s by far the best in the whole A-K Valley. His gameplans are just amazing for what we do. People can’t figure us out. We actually could run any type of defense that’s out there.
“It’s kind of hard for people to prepare for us.”
The expectation remains the same, Gaillot explained. He wants to see his team’s best effort each time out.
“We’re going to fight as hard as we can and see what happens,” he said. “If they can look themselves in the mirror after every game and say, ‘Did I play every snap as hard as I can?’ If they can that, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose. That’s our mentality.”
