Eagles take the field after halftime with the lead in Friday’s face off against LaVega. (Photos by Melissa Lee)
The Fairfield Eagles felt they needed a perfect game to defeat the defending state champion LaVega Pirates. They got half of it but could not hold on for the win.
The opening night is always an exciting time but the weather proved to be a factor on the final night in August. The Eagles would fall to the Pirates 34-10 and they had to endure a small delay before the kickoff.
Following a scoreless first quarter and nearly a scoreless first half, the Pirates struck first when Cameron Henry bulled his way through on an 11-yard score and a 6-0 lead. The extra point was no good and the Pirates had the touchdown lead with 8:40 remaining in the first half.
The Eagles had a tremendous kickoff return inside the ten-yard line and they only needed one play to take the lead. Kam Ransom hit pay dirt with a three yard run and the game was tied only 13 seconds after the LaVega score. Reyes hit the extra point and the Eagles had a 7-6 lead. On the next possession following a bad snap on a punt, Reyes hit a 27-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-6 and the teams would head to the locker room with the Eagles on top.
Near the midway part of the third quarter, John Richards scored the touchdown that would regain the lead for the Pirates. His eight-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion would give LaVega a 14-7 lead.
Henry and the Pirates began to take control when Henry scored his second touchdown of the night and the lead extended to 21-10 near the end of the third quarter.
Donta Stuart picked off a Barlow pass and was in great field position inside the Eagle 20 and Richards cashed in on his second score of the night and the lead grew to 28-10.
Fairfield was trying to get into the game and the defense stopped a Pirate drive with an Akeem Jackson block. LaVega would add a late touchdown to set the final score at 34-10.
Ransom led the Eagle rushing attack with 91 yards and Barlow completed two passes for 40 yards.
Fairfield will host the Athens Hornets in the home opener at Eagle Field. Athens lost to the Mexia Blackcats 29-7 and are on the road for the first two weeks. Game time is set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Great job blocking by Fairfield Eagles Arron Pfleeger against LaVega last week.
Carrying the ball to gain for the Eagles is Fairfield Quarterback Zac Barlow.
