The Rusk Eagles built a big lead at the half and cruised to a 42-14 win over the Fairfield Eagles in the 2020 season opener.
The balanced offense of Rusk with 213 passing yards and 189 rushing yards was too much for the hometown Eagles to overcome. Rusk had four takeaways to push them to the win.
Rusk got on the scoreboard first on a touchdown pass from Owen McCown to K.T. Tilley that covered 34 yards with 2:45 remaining in the opening quarter. The point after failed and the Rusk Eagles led 6- 0.
Early in the second quarter, Fairfield would take their first and only lead of the night. Eli Martin busted up the middle for a 26-yard touchdown run and tied the score with just under 11 minutes to go in the first half. Jonathon Garcia added the extra point and Fairfield led 7- 6.
Rusk answered in a little over two minutes on an Alex Jones two-yard run to take a 13-7 lead. McCown connected on his second touchdown of the half. Joseph McCown hauled in the 27-yard touchdown pass and the Rusk Eagles added to their lead and it was 20- 7.
After a safety was scored by Rusk, the free kick put Rusk in good field position. McCown would score on a 26-yard touchdown run near the end of the half and extended the lead to 28- 7.
Rusk added two more touchdowns in the third quarter, the first on a McCown keeper from 55 yards out and the second on a touchdown run by Jones and the lead swelled to 42- 7.
Fairfield finished the scoring with a late touchdown in the final quarter. Hayden Braswell found Hunter Noland on an 11-yard touchdown pass and the point after cut the final deficit to 42-14.
Martin led the rushing for the Fairfield Eagles with 64 yards on 11 carries and the touchdown.
(Photos by Shae Garcia)
Fairfield’s Friday night game against the Brownsboro Bears on Sept. 4th has been cancelled due to COVID concerns.
