The Fairfield Eagles football season began in the hot beginning of August and look to improve on a 2-8 season.
Last season, the Fairfield Eagles and the Mexia Blackcats missed the playoffs together for the first time since 1995 and it has never happened in back-to-back seasons. Even with improvement by both teams, it would be difficult to get into the postseason.
The Eagles will take to the field on Friday in Madisonville to take on the Mustangs in scrimmage action. Fairfield will see some new faces on the field, meaning they are the same faces just a year older. They will be playing some young players that were forced into action when injuries plagued the 2016 campaign.
Fairfield will move to the second scrimmage on Thursday, August 24 in Waco when they face the Gatesville Hornets before the regular season opener at Eagle Field against the LaVega Pirates.
Head coach and athletic director John Bachtel talked of the expectations, “I am excited about the upcoming season. Our kids have really been working hard during strength and conditioning camps.”
The Eagles had the annual 7-on-7 squad qualify for the state tournament and advanced to the championship bracket for the first time in school history. They won the pool games but lost early in the bracket but definitely made a terrific showing. Mexia also made the tournament. A total of four from District 9-4A DII qualified and played in different brackets. Salado and Lorena also made appearances at the Bryan-College Station event.
Coach Bachtel added about his team, “I like the grit our team. I am ready to watch them compete, we need to play with a lot of energy and learn to finish.”
The Eagles managed an early season win at home against Athens and a late district win over rival Mexia also at home.
Fairfield does not shy away from tough opponents. After they take on state power LaVega and travel to Athens, they play neighbor rivals Palestine and Rusk. They finish the non-district schedule on the road against reigning quarterfinalist China Spring.
After a week off, Fairfield opens district play with the longest road trip of the season to Salado, a surprise team from last season. The Eagles get Robinson at home and then travel to Conally. The first week in November, Fairfield heads to Limestone County to take on the rival Mexia Blackcats. The Eagles finish the with the defending district champion Lorena at Eagle Field.
This Eagle team has a chance to be pretty good with the young talent that saw the field last season. A few players surprised the Eagle faithful and will be called on to be impact players this season. All eyes turn to Eagle Field on September 1, and the coaches and players look to find a game in week 11. Everyone knows, that means a playoff game, and the Eagles know how to find a way.
Check out this week’s print edition for pictures of all the Fairfield Eagle teams, athletes and their coaches.
