The Fairfield Eagles bounced back after an overtime loss and dominated the Groesbeck Goats at Eagle Field Friday night.
Eagle quarterback Cameron Cockerell continued his air attack on District 8-3A Division I opponents with 237 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 11 on the district season. Jacorey Daniels hauled in four passes for 102 yards and both touchdowns.
The teams exchanged possessions in the first minutes of the game, the Goats punting twice and Fairfield losing the ball on downs. Fairfield took advantage of a short punt and marched 59 yards in six plays to put the first points on the board. Cockerell completed four of five passes on the drive, one to Jake White converting on fourth down, and the final pass to Daniels for the 11-yard score. Jonathon Garcia added the extra point and the Eagles led 7-0 with just seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The defenses took center stage in the second quarter and punts and turnovers were the order for the time. Cockerell threw an interception and the Goats punted. Following a punt by the Eagles, the Goats went on an impressive drive. The Goats marched 77 yards in 12 plays.
Sophomore quarterback Trent Platt completed two passes on the drive and junior running back Chris Cox was the workhorse with six carries on the drive for 49 yards. Platt hit Cox across the middle for the 11-yard touchdown just before the half and the teams were tied at 7-7 at the halftime break.
Fairfield would take the lead for good midway through the third quarter. Daniels picked off a Platt pass and returned it 53 yards to the Groesbeck six-yard line. It did take the Eagles four plays to get the touchdown, since Fairfield had two penalties and then the Goats were called for defensive holding and the Eagles got a first down. The drive ended on a Cockerell one yard touchdown run and the Garcia point after put the Eagles ahead by a 14-7 score.
The Eagles held on defense and Fairfield put their offense on the field for another great drive. Taking nine plays and moving 67 yards,
Braiden Barrett pushed his way in on a 1 yard run and the lead grew to 21-7. Daniels caught two passes for 38 yards to key the drive.
Fairfield would add on more touchdown and it came via the long play. Cockerell found Daniels downfield for a 53 yard catch and run for the final touchdown of the night.
Fairfield evens their record at 2-2 and move into a tie with the Mexia Blackcats, however, the Blackcats own the tiebreaker, should the season dictate it. Malakoff leads the district race with Teague (2-1), tied with Groesbeck at 2-1. The Fairfield Eagles will travel to Kemp on Friday to take on the Yellowjackets.
(Photos by Payton Botelho)
