Nov 8, 2018 2 min read

Burgettstown vs. Freedom

Records: Burgettstown is 10-0, Freedom is 10-1

Class: 2A

Winner plays: Either Washington or Steel Valley in the semifinals.

Who to watch: When the Blue Devils win in the trenches, they usually win on the scoreboard. Burgettstown has an experienced line, anchored by seniors Colby Green and Angelo Fratino. Behind those linemen is a stable of running backs that includes senior Gage Monette, junior Cyle Conley and sophomore Shane Kemper. Burgettstown also can get points from junior kicker Seth Phillis, who has 31 PATs and five field goals. Freedom averages almost five touchdowns a game, and its main offensive threats are seniors Jake Pail, who has 723 rushing yards, 362 receiving yards and 14 total touchdowns; and Cody Ross, who has 503 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns.

Noteworthy: Burgettstown has turned it around in recent years after going winless in 2012 and 2013. The Blue Devils lost last year in the quarterfinals to top-seeded Steel Valley, 42-0. … Burgettown’s defense has only given up 5.3 points per game, second to Gateway’s 4.5. The highest amount of points Burgettstown gave up this fall was 21 to South Side Beaver in Week 4. … The Bulldogs are five years removed from going 0-9 in 2013. Freedom lost to Washington in the first round last year, 42-9, and lost to Riverside, 21-7, in the quarterfinals in 2016.