The Fairfield Eagles jumped out to a 23-0 lead and had to hold off a furious comeback from the Mexia Blackcats to finish the non-district portion of the schedule at 2-3.
Celebrating an Eagle touchdown is Fairfield High School’s Head Football Coach and Athletic Director, John Bachtel.
The Eagles 23-15 win over Mexia was the first home win of the season and sets Fairfield ready for the District 8-3A Division I opener at home against the Groesbeck Goats on Friday, October 8.
The Blackcats took the ball on their first possession and were forced punt. The Eagle defense made their presence known early with a sack by Hayden Braswell and a tackle behind the line of scrimmage by Daryan Harris. The teams exchanged punts through the first five possessions until near the end of the first quarter.
Fairfield continued a drive that ended the first quarter to put the first points on the board. Quarterback Kaden Crawford found Jacorey Daniels for a 48-yard gain into the red zone for the Fairfield offense. The Blackcat defense stiffened and the Eagle special teams unit came on for a field goal attempt. Eli Castillo stepped up for his first attempt of the season and booted a 27-yard field goal for the Eagles and the took a 3-0 lead with only seconds remaining in the opening quarter.
Mexia was forced to punt and the Eagles went back to work on the Mexia side of midfield. Martin ripped off a 20-yard run to the Blackcat 22-yard line. Four plays later the Eagles faced a third down and goal at the 17. Crawford connected with Daniels for a 15-yard gain and Crawford scored on a fourth down keeper to extend the lead to 10-0.
The Blackcats had the ball late in the first half and had a bobbled snap on a punt and the Eagles recovered deep in Mexia territory at the 14-yard line. The Fairfield offense stalled there and the 31-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left and the score stood at 10-0.
Entertaining Eagle fans while twirling fire are Fairfield Captain Breyunna Dowell (left) and Gilbrea McNeal during last week’s game against the Mexia Blackcats.
Mexia made a deep threat to score before the half. After a six-yard loss on first down, quarterback Trey Betts dumped a pass to Xavier Molina. He got into the open field and raced 71 yards and was brought down by a touchdown saving tackle by Jaylyn Daniels. The Blackcats turned the ball over on downs and Fairfield held Mexia scoreless in the first half.
Fairfield took the second half kickoff and began a march to extend the lead. They used 12 plays and reached the Mexia 34-yard line and decided to punt. The four-yard punt put the Blackcat offense back on the field.
Soaring above a Blackcat to try and secure the ball is Fairfield Eagle, Daryan Harris.
Mexia began the drive on their 25-yard line and on third and long, Betts was picked off by Braswell and he raced 23 yards for the score for the Fairfield defense. The extra point was no good and the Eagle lead grew to 16-0.
Fairfield added to the in the early moments of the fourth quarter. After Mexia turned the ball over on downs, the Eagle offense stayed on the ground and picked up a couple of first downs. On second down at the 27-yard line, Braiden Barrett busted through the middle of the Blackcat defense for the touchdown. The extra point was good and the lead stretched to 23-0.
Senior Jaylyn Daniels gains yards for the Eagles against the Blackcats.
The Blackcat offense put some points on the board and began to build a bit of momentum. Nate Burns had a ten-yard run and Jacques Cooper added a first down run. Burns tossed a short pass to Cooper and he found the corner of the endzone and the Blackcats cut the lead to 23-6. Burns ran in the conversion and the Eagle lead was cut to 23-8.
Mexia forced a three and out and took after an Eagle punt. Burns had a 13-yard run and the Eagle defense chipped in with a pair of 15-yard penalties. Burns threw his second touchdown pass on the night to Tej Bryant. The play covered 34 yards and the extra point made it a one-score game in the final seconds.
The Blackcats recovered the onsides kick and took over in Fairfield territory. Betts returned to the game and the offense had a couple of plays to try and tie the game. On first down, Jaylyn Daniels picked off the Mexia pass and the Fairfield defense sealed the home win.
Eli Martin led all rushers with 107 yards on 30 carries.
Both teams will begin district play next week. The Blackcats will be on the road to take on the Brownsboro Bears in the District 7-4A Division II opener and the Eagles (2-3) will return home to host the 4-1 Groesbeck Goats.
(Photos by Ashlyn Garcia)
Just as a reminder:
All FB ticket sales for the Junior High and Varsity games vs Groesbeck have to be purchased through GoFan at this link:
There will be no cash sales at the gate.
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