Eagles 42 Second Half Points Complete Comeback Playoff Win

The Fairfield Eagles scored 42 second half points in a come from behind win in the first round of the Division I playoffs in Splendora. The Eagles defeated the Orangefield Bobcats, champions of District 10-3A Division I 49-42.

Fairfield set records in the passing game over the season and needed the arm of junior quarterback Kohl Collins for the win. They also needed the legs of Finn Smith with a huge offensive night and provided a special teams spark twice to answer Orangfield touchdowns.

The Bobcats took the opening possession moved downfield with ease for the first score of the game. Mason Manning had runs into Eagle territory. The drive ended with a Carson Gonzales push for the one-yard score. The point after put the Bobcats ahead 7-0 less than three minutes into the game.

Fairfield matched the score on their first possession. Finn Smith caught a 17-yard pass for a first down and Collins was sacked for a nine-yard loss. On the next play, Collins passed deep down the middle to Connor Colvert for the 59-yard touchdown.

Manning took control of the Bobcat offense, and he scored on a 45 burst up the middle and the Orangefield Bobcats regained the lead midway through the first quarter.

Fairfield turned the ball over on downs and Orangefield turned their possession into points before the end of the first quarter. Gonzales passed to Nick Rogers for a 15-yard gain to midfield. Six plays later, Manning scored his second touchdown of the game on a 13-yard touchdown and the 21-7 Bobcat lead.

The 21-7 lead held up through the first half and the big play Eagle offense began their comeback. Smith took the bouncing kickoff at his own three-yard line and made a couple of moves and broke a tackle at midfield and outran the Bobcats defense for the 97-yard opening kickoff return of the second half. The extra point kick by Kieran King cut the lead to 21-14.

Fairfield forced a turnover on downs and immediately put their offense in position to score. Jaylon Shed ran for 20 and a first down and Collins passed to Cal Wilson for 15 yards inside the Bobcat ten. Shed burst up the middle for the eight-yard touchdown and the King point after tied the score at 21-21.

Orangefield scored on their next possession to regain the lead for the second time in the game. The Bobcat running game completed a 60-yard drive and converted a first down on a pass interference by the Eagles. Manning scored the one-yard touchdown, and the Bobcats led 28-21 near the end of the third quarter.

Fairfield matched the score on a touchdown pass to Kavion Hicks to tie the score. Shed had two key plays on the drive on a 31-yard reception and a 26-yard run to the Bobcat ten. On the touchdown, Collins scrambled out of the pocket and found Hicks in the back of the end zone.

Fairfield tied the score at 28-28.

Orangefield regained the lead for the third time with Manning’s fourth touchdown from 54 yards away. They took a two-score lead in the game with their defense. Collins dropped to pass and his throw was intercepted by Morrow and he ran for a 60-yard pick six and the lead swelled to 14 for the second time in the contest with six minutes remaining.

Smith took the kickoff and worked the magic a second time with a 79-yard kickoff return to cut the lead to 42-35.

The Eagle defense forced a three and out and the punt put Fairfield back on the field. Wilson caught a 21-yard pass to cross into Bobcat territory and on third and long, Collins passed to Smith for the 44-yard touchdown and King kicked the extra point and tied the score at 42-42.

The Bobcats had three plays and a punt, and the Eagles began their final possession at their own 27. Shed ran for 25 yards to midfield and caught another screen pass for 14 yards and a first down. Smith caught the 27-yard touchdown to put the Eagles in front for the first time in the game in the final minute.

Orangefield ran ten offensive plays in the final seconds, but the final hail Mary was tipped away at the buzzer.

Shed finished the night with 150 rushing yards on 21 carries and Collins completed 20 of 33 passes for 386 yards and four touchdowns.

Colvert caught four passes for 83 yards and a touchdown and Smith hauled in five passes for 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns to go along with the two kickoff return touchdowns.

Manning led all rushers for the Bobcats with 284 yards on 35 carries and four touchdowns.

The Fairfield Eagles move onto take on the Yoakum Bulldogs on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. in Temple.