The Fairfield Eagles have found an effective way to run the football but they saw a clinic on the running game in a 42-21 Salado win in the battle for third place in the district standings.
Both sets of Eagles had soared at times this season but found themselves in the playoffs but vying for the final two spots. They had each lost to Conally and Mexia in different fashions and found themselves looking at a big offensive line on both teams.
The Fairfield loss sends them to Bruce Field in Athens for a rematch of last season’s bi-district game. They will take on the Wills Point Tigers.
Fairfield had the ball first and went about their usual power football running game and finished a quick drive on a three yard run by Jar-Mychael Hudson. Hudson had a long run of 31 yards into Salado territory and added a personal foul at the end for a horse collar tackle. Tyler Haynes added the point after for the early 7-0 lead.
Salado wasted little time in getting points on the board. Vincent had several runs on the drive but Hunter Haire finished the drive on the keeper and knotted the score at 7-7.
The Salado Eagles would add a second touchdown, this one off of a Fairfield fumble and the short 26 yard drive ended in a three yard run for the 14-7 lead.
Justin Abram showed his running skills on the next drive. He took the ball on the first play and raced 62 yards up the middle and breaking to the near sideline to the Salado three yard line. He would finish the drive two plays later on a one yard run, again tying the score for the second time in the half.
Salado finished the first quarter and a large portion of the second quarter on a long drive that consumed several minutes and the 61 yard drive ended on a Haire one yard plunge for the go-ahead touchdown.
The score would be tied a third time in the half when the Eagles got the ball back. Fairfield went on a long drive of their own, mixing the running of Hudson, Abram and freshman Eli Martin. Martin would finish the drive for the Eagles offense on a three yard rip up the middle and the score would be tied into the locker room at halftime.
In the second half, the Salado Eagles went on a 21-0 run to take the win. Hunter Turk scored on the first drive of the second half after Vincent made some key runs. Vincent added a 38 yard run and Turk had a short touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Waco Conally wins the district and completed an unbeaten season. Mexia wrapped up the second place spot last week and Salado will finish third with the Fairfield Eagles taking the final playoff spot.
(Photos by Shae Garcia)
