ROCKFORD — Down to its final chance to make the playoffs, Freeport came out strong and dominated an overmatched Jefferson team Friday.
The Pretzels (5-4) beat the J-Hawks (0-9), 40-8, to give them a fifth win needed for playoff eligibility. Freeport coach Terry Werntz said the Pretzels have 40 playoff points, which should be enough to get them into the postseason.
“I’m excited now, I’ll be excited in the morning. ... I really feel we’re in,” Werntz said. “Forty-one (points) would probably give me a heart attack because I just can’t envision it.”
ROCKFORD - This wasn’t the same Auburn Knights football team of the past three weeks.
After three straight NIC-10 conference losses, Auburn nearly ran itself to a homecoming victory against Freeport on Friday.
Eddie Cade rushed for 217 yards, but Freeport’s pass-happy offense came through taking a 54-42 victory.
Cade, who was featured sparingly at running back in last week’s 45-6 loss against Guilford, played the entire game at the position and it paid immediate dividends.
He scored the Knights’ first two touchdowns on breakaway runs of 59 and 74 yards.
FREEPORT — If Freeport coach Terry Werntz had any questions about how his team would adapt to a spread offense, they were answered on Friday.
“After tonight we can be believers in it,” Werntz said.
Quarterback Kevin Flack led the offense with 277 passing yards, three touchdowns and an interception, and running back Tony Thompson scored on his first two carries and rushed for 161 yards to lead the Pretzels to a 42-12 win and hand East its 21st straight loss.
