FREEMAN — In 90-degree weather, the Phoenix rose above the Pirates on Friday. 

Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy fired on all cylinders offensively, contained Avon’s rushing attack and picked up a 52-18 win on a hot afternoon in Freeman. 

“We knew we had to be much more physical and match their physicality,” FMFA coach Dustin Tschetter said. “Because they are bigger. We knew the heat would wear them out more than us, but it was pretty close here toward the end who got worn out more.” 

FMFA amassed 280 passing yards and 128 rushing yards. The Phoenix (3-0) received six total touchdowns — five through the air — from sophomore quarterback Riley Tschetter, who injured his leg in the third quarter attempting to score on a two-point conversion. 

Coach Tschetter didn’t know the extent of the injury following the contest. 

“We will go find out,” coach Tschetter said. “It doesn't look good, but you never know. We will find out.”

Prior to the injury, Tschetter extended plays with his legs and regularly dropped a number of dimes to the Phoenix’s many skill players. Tschetter threw two touchdown passes to Evan Scharberg and Rocky Ammann, while he connected with Karter Weber for his fifth touchdown strike. 

“We have got all kinds of skill guys,” coach Tschetter said. “We are not big. I can tell you that, but we have a lot of interchangeable parts and our skills are as good as anybody probably in the state.”

Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy’s defense, however, also complemented the offensive attack. The Phoenix forced four fumbles, including a Luke Peters strip sack for a touchdown in the end zone.  

“All week during practice, we knew they were going to be a lot bigger than us,” Ammann said. “So we had to be more physical than them and that’s what we did.”

The Phoenix couldn’t have scripted a better start against the Class 9B No. 3 Pirates (2-1). Avon drove deep into FMFA territory on the opening possession, but turned the ball over on downs. A few players later, Tschetter scampered for a 51-yard touchdown run.

Avon's Aziah Meyer carries the ball against Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy on Friday in Freeman. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

The Phoenix then recovered the ensuing pooch kick, followed by a Tschetter-to-Scharberg 18-yard touchdown strike for a 12-0 lead. Avon’s Aziah Meyer answered right back with a kickoff return for touchdown. 

The Phoenix continued to show off its quick strike offense, with a Tschetter-to-Ammann 74-yard touchdown reception. Peters padded the lead with a strip sack and fumble recovery in the end zone, giving the Phoenix a 24-6 lead. 

Meyer’s 35-yard touchdown run capped off a high-scoring first-quarter, a 24-12 FMFA advantage. The Pirates, however, were kept out of the end zone until the third quarter as FMFA clamped down defensively. Tyler Tjeerdsma added a rushing touchdown for Avon, which managed just eight first downs and finished 1 of 13 on third downs. 

“They didn’t really pass much,” Ammann said. “We just stacked the box and brought it to them. … Our defense has improved. We are way more physical and we just got better overall on defense.” 

In the second quarter, Tschetter hit Scharberg for a 19-yard touchdown pass and 32-12 lead, the halftime score. Tschetter added touchdown passes to Ammann and Karter Weber in the third quarter before his injury sidelined him. Weber, who replaced Tschetter, scored a 60-yard touchdown to round out the scoring. 

Avon will host Gayville-Volin on Sept. 8. After its bye week, the Phoenix will host Class 9AA No. 3 Howard on Sept. 15. 

The status of Tschetter’s injury will be key as FMFA gears up for the Tigers. 

“We got through the first three weeks with no injury of significance,” coach Tschetter said. “So we felt pretty good. We will see where this one leads us to, but next man up.”