The Fairfield Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead but it was all Palestine for the remainder of the game and the Eagles lost on the road 27-10 and drops to 1-2 on the young season.
Fairfield suffered five interceptions on the night and the Wildcats turned that into three scores to overcome the early Eagle lead.
The Fairfield special teams unit had the spark early with the opening kickoff. Akeem Jackson took the kick 60 yards and began their first drive in Wildcat territory. The drive stalled and Erick Rodriquez Reyes booted a 34-yard field goal with 9:43 remaining in the opening quarter.
Palestine could not get the offense going early and were forced to punt. The Fairfield offence made quick work again and quarterback Zac Barlow completed a 22-yard pass to Jackson for the touchdown with still 7:30 remaining in the first and the Eagles led 10-0.
The final drive in the first quarter ended with a Barlow interception. Jahmonte Milton picked the pass deep in Wildcat territory. The Wildcats drove 80 yards in 11 plays and senior quarterback Claude Rodgers tossed to Tony Dever for the 11-yard touchdown and the Wildcats cut the lead to 10-6 with 11 seconds to go in the first quarter.
Palestine would take the lead with 8:25 remaining in the half. Rodgers completed the drive with a five-yard touchdown run. They would have a final chance to add to the lead at the end of the half but the field goal attempt was blocked.
Quinn Tinley picked off a Barlow pass and returned it 20 yard to the Fairfield 13-yard line. Rodgers connected with Dever a second time, this one on a nine-yard score and the Wildcats were eying the chance to end six straight losses to the Eagles.
Fairfield continued to try to break through in the last few second, but the fifth interception on the night ended with a pick returned for the touchdown. Karnelius Hamilton picked the ball and scored the games’ final points.
Milton and Tinley finished the night with two interceptions each and the Eagles fall to 1-2 on the season. The Wildcats showed discipline and turned in a fine defensive performance.
Fairfield will take to the road for the second straight week with a trip into Cherokee County to visit the Rusk Eagles. Game time is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Scott Batts reporting.
Pictured above: Going high for the catch is Fairfield Eagle Akeem Jackson (at right) during the match-up against Palestine.
