Three turnovers in the first quarter and five in the game helped the Eagles even their record at 2-2 with a 33-21 homecoming loss to the Rusk Eagles.
The Fairfield offense had trouble going with three fumbles in the first eight minutes of play but the defense got two of them back deep in their own territory to stay in the game.
The Eagles have their final non-district game on the road on Friday night in China Spring.
The Fairfield Eagles had the ball first and promptly left it on the carpet and was scooped up by linebacker Sean Rogers at the Rusk 40. The Rusk offense picked up a couple of first downs and Sam Thomas broke away on a 25 yard run to the Fairfield 18. Quarterback Dee McDuff connected with Damion Freeney on an 11 yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead following the extra point.
Fairfield would take the ball in good field position after the kickoff but a fumble on the first play of the drive was the second turnover of the quarter. Jace Rogers fell on the loose ball and Rusk was in prime position to take a double digit lead. They reached the goal line and McDuff fumbled into the endzone and Avery Archibald covered it at the one yard line.
Breaking through the Rusk Eagles is Fairfield’s #1 Kam Ransom, as he pushes the ball downfield for the touchdown. Our thoughts are with this young man, as he recovers from a painful hit during the last play of the game.
The Fairfield offense would try to get out of the shadow of their own goal post but on second down inside the 20 yard line, the third fumble of the quarter was covered by Freeney. Rusk had the ball at the Fairfield 25 but again the Fairfield defense covered a fumble. Tyler Haynes recovered the ball and raced near midfield.
The Fairfield defense made the final play of the quarter in the turnover department. Rusk reached the red zone for the third time in the first quarter and McDuff was picked off by Jaise Oliver for a touchback.
The home Eagle offense put together their best drive of the young season. Beginning at their own 20 yard line, Fairfield used 17 plays to travel the 80 yards and ended when Archibald bulled his way in on a one-yard run. Haynes added the point after for a tie game at 7-7 with 7:22 remaining in the first half.
Great blocking by Fairfield’s #51 Tucker Davis and #53 Parker Eidson.
Thomas added a one yard touchdown of his own a few minutes later and that ended a seven play drive on their next possession. Rusk took a 13-7 lead.
Fairfield would take the lead at the half despite the three fumbles. Kam Ransom ended another long drive with a 20 yard burst up the left hashmark and the eight play drive tied the game and the point after put the Eagles ahead 14-13 with 1:36 remaining.
Fairfield forced a punt to begin the second half. The 16 yard punt put the Eagles in great field position. A couple of passes went from Ransom to Kolbe Branch, the second for a 27 yard touchdown with 9:46 left in the third quarter. Branch ended the game with ten catches for 119 yards.
Rusk would finish the night shutting out the Fairfield offense. Rusk tied the game on a Thomas five yard run and McDuff added the two point conversion for a 21-21 game.
McDuff went to the air to take the lead. He found Adrian Morris for a 54 yard catch and run for the 27-21 lead when the point after was blocked. The pair connected a little later to set the score at 33-21. Fairfield fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Eagles from Rusk took running out the clock to preserve the win.
(At Top) – Diving into the end zone for the team’s first touchdown is Fairfield Eagle #4 Avery Archibald, who names was mentioned several times during the play-by-play.
(Photos by Melissa Lee)
