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.”

FREEPORT - Freeport had a tough start to the game when running back Anthony Driver fumbled on the opening possession, but that was one of the few things that would go wrong for Freeport. The Pretzels got a quick stop and Driver led the offense down the field, finishing the drive with a 1-yard plunge.

The Pretzels continued to have success on the ground as Tony Thompson scored on three more runs in the quarter.

Thompson carried eight times for 108 yards. He said the plan was to “stuff it down their throats,” and the Pretzels did that to perfection. The Pretzels led, 40-0, with 5:49 to play in the second quarter, and starters were taken out late before halftime.

The quick big lead was important for a Freeport team that had lost three tough games in a row coming into Friday.

“That helped a lot,” Thompson said. “The last couple of games weren’t our best, but this game was a good game all over.”

Quarterback Kevin Flack got the passing game going in the second quarter throwing two touchdown passes. The first was to receiver Wes Gastel, giving him 14 receiving touchdowns on the season, which ties the NIC-10 record. It was a good cap to what was a banner regular season for Gastel.

“It’s been really good,” he said. “I’ve been getting open looks and Kevin’s been getting me the ball, that’s pretty much it.”

- Jeremy Anders, GateHouse News Service