Fairfield quarterback Cameron Cockerell threw for six touchdowns and ran for another in a decisive win over the Kemp Yellowjackets on the road Friday night. The win keeps the Eagles in the hunt for a playoff spot as they head into the open week.
The Eagles jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead and never looked back in the district contest. Fairfield heads into the open week at 3-2 and will host the Teague Lions in the regular season finale.
Kemp took the opening kickoff and went into an immediate punting situation. The Eagles were penalized for running into the kicker and Kemp had a first down at their own 36. Kemp quarterback Deacon Thompson completed a 23-yard pass but again had to punt.
The Eagles wasted little time to put the first of many points on the board on the night. After an offsides penalty against the Yellowjackets, Cockerell tossed across the middle to Calyn Wilson for the 57 yard catch and run for the first touchdown. The extra point from Jonathon Garcia was good and the Eagles led 7-0.
Fairfield had another defensive gem and forced the Yellowjackets to punt. The short 18-yard punt put the Eagles in good field position. On fourth down and three from their 43-yard line, Cockerell saw Garcia slipped out up the seam and he hit him in stride for the second 57-yard touchdown pass of the quarter. The extra point was good and the Eagles extended the lead to 14-0.
Disaster struck for the Yellowjackets on the ensuing kickoff. Kick returner Brayden Gibbons bobbled the ball and picked up and then Jacorey Daniels knocked the ball loose and Talan Hathcock covered the loose ball at the Kemp nine-yard line. On second down and goal, Daniels hauled in the fade to the back of the endzone for the nine-yard touchdown. Garcia added the point after for the 21-0 lead after the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter, the Yellowjackets punted and the Eagles set up one of their most impressive drives of the season. Beginning at their 20-yard line, the Eagles marched those 80 yards in 13 plays, converting on two third downs with passes to Garcia to move the chains. The drive ended with a score, the fourth passing touchdown of the half for Cockerell, this one to Rex Bean for a five-yard touchdown and a 28-0 lead.
Kemp added a touchdown before the half on a touchdown pass that covered 18 yards and the Eagles led at the half 28-7.
Fairfield would score to open the third quarter and Cockerell air mailed his fifth touchdown pass of the night. Daniels caught the 24-yard touchdown and extended the lead to 35-7.
Gibbons finished off a Kemp drive with a nine-yard run to cut the lead to 35-14 but that was as close as they would get.
The Eagles would add two more scores to close out the night on the road. Cockerell passed to Daniels for his third touchdown of the night and the sixth touchdown pass for Cockerell. He would add a five-yard touchdown run to close out the scoring and secure a 49-14 win.
Fairfield (3-2, 3-5) are in a tie with Mexia for third place in the District 8-3A Division I standings. Malakoff leads the district with the Teague Lions in second. The Lions will play at Fairfield in the regular season finale and with an Eagle win, could earn Fairfield a second-place finish.
Fairfield has an open date this Friday.
(Photos by Payton Botelho)
