Freeport will have a lot riding on Friday's home football matchup against Valley, but Yellowjackets' coach Bill Dillen wouldn't put that much emphasis on it.

"We're not looking at it with a sense of urgency," said Dillen. "We have to take it one game at a time. We just have to keep playing the next couple of weeks."

Freeport (4-3, 2-3 in the Allegheny Conference) is coming off a 40-12 victory over Shady Side Academy. Kiel Conjack had a hand in five touchdowns, including catching a pair of touchdown passes from Bryan Zimmerman.

Nate Kurtz also rushed for 224-yards and a score.

Valley (5-2, 4-1) suffered its first section loss of the year, a 21-0 setback to Ford City, to fall into a second-place tie with the Sabers.

Still, Dillen knows the Vikings are a dangerous team.

"They have a tremendous group of kids with speed," said Dillen, "and they're well-coached."

Coach Troy Hill's Vikings are led by quarterback Anthony Howell, who has completed 52-of-113 passes for 974 yards and nine touchdowns. He's also rushed for 165 yards and another score.

Curtis Carion and Logan Downes are the team's top two rushers and Toney Clemons and Madison Harvey the top two receiving threats.

Clemons, who entered last week's game against Ford City, with 25 catches, 547 yards and six touchdowns, will not play after being ejected against Ford City, which resulted in a PIAA-mandated one-game suspension.

"To be honest, there have been games he wasn't a factor," said Dillen. "They have a lot of good kids. (Running back) A.J. Saunders is tough and (Howell) is tough.

"We always try to contain the quarterback," no matter who it is. He's a good ballplayer."

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Grove City (4-2, 4-1) at Mercer (1-5, 1-4), 7 p.m., Friday

- Four wins, 14 points given up, three shutouts.

The Grove City defense is playing at the top of its game.

That's not good news for Mercer, which has struggled to score points all season.

The Eagles toppled Wilmington 21-0 last week thanks to the staunch defense and the playmaking ability of wide receiver Jesse Alfreno, who caught five passes for 137 yards and a touchdown.

Mercer led Slippery Rock 6-0 at the half, but gave up four Rocket touchdown drives in the second half to lose 28-6.

A win by Grove City is another step toward earning a playoff berth. The Eagles are just one game behind Region 3 leader Greenville, but are in good shape to receive one of the two at-large bids into the District 10, Class AA playoffs.

Union (0-6, 0-5) at Clarion-Limestone (6-0, 4-0)

- Things don't get much easier for Union.

The Golden Knights must face undefeated Clarion-Limestone and all-everything quarterback Hayden Johnston.

All Johnston has done this season is thrown for 969 yards and 15 touchdowns while only throwing two interceptions.

Union's bright spot this season has been Colton Davis, who has rushed for 292 yards.

Summit Academy (0-7, 0-5) at Laurel (6-1, 5-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday -

The Knights look to hand their hands full when they face the Spartans, who sit atop the Tri-County North standings.

Laurel is riding a six-game winning streak and has allowed just 76 points in its seven games this season.

Laurel defeated Neshannock last Friday 21-14 when Josh Linton scored on a 2-yard run with 4:04 left in the game. Mike Burkett added a pair of touchdown receptions, one from quarterback Ray Pollum, the other from receiver Corey Collins.

Quarterback Ray Pollum has completed 72 of 130 passes for 999 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

The Knights, who are coming off a 31-20 loss to Union, had touchdown runs from Tyrell Knight, Calvin Love and Trifon Wilson.