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2016 Snapshot: Fairfield

The talent is there for Fairfield to make the playoffs for the third time in the last four years which is something that has never been done by the program. The Indians will have to replace six starters on each side of the ball but the returnees are solid and the team has speed and athleticism going in its favor.

Fairfield Head Coach Jason Krause (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Fairfield Head Coach Jason Krause (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

“We lose a three-year starter at quarterback and a very strong senior class. Their leadership was key to our success,” head coach Jason Krause stated.

Before Krause’s arrival Fairfield was the whipping boy for its Greater Miami Conference foes. Stability has set in and now it is time to see if the Indians are able to reload rather than rebuild after modest success under this regime.

Fairfield is now accustomed to winning and expects to win on a regular basis. Look for this group of Indians to keep that tradition going.

Division I, Region 4
2015 RECORD: 8-3, 5-2 GMC
COACH: Jason Krause (26-26 at Fairfield, five years; 111-94 overall, 19 years)

HONOR ROLL
Josiah Scott, Sr, DB – One of the league’s best defensive backs, Scott was a Second Team All-Southwest District selection as a junior and is also a two-time First Team All-GMC performer. He has eight career interceptions. Scott has offers from Bowling Green, Iowa, Kent State, Pitt and West Virginia.

Fairfield DB Josiah Scott (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Fairfield DB Josiah Scott (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Jack Carman, Jr, LT – One of the nation’s premier offensive linemen in the Class of 2018. The 6-foot-6, 270 pound Carman was a Special Mention All-Ohio and First Team All-Southwest District selection as a sophomore. His offers include Alabama, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Iowa, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Marshall, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Toledo, Vanderbilt, West Virginia & Wisconsin.

Malik Vann, Jr, DL – 6-3/245 – Vann parlayed an outstanding sophomore campaign into Second Team All-Southwest District accolades. This offseason he continues to impress having received offers from Cincinnati, Iowa State, Louisville, Maryland, Miami (OH), Notre Dame, Purdue, Tennessee, Toledo, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Jerred McGuire, Sr, K/P – A big time weapon, McGuire has one of the best legs in Southwest Ohio. He connected on 35-36 of his extra points, hit 5-7 field goals (including a long of 44 yards) and averaged 36.0 yards on 37 punts as a junior. He was named First Team All-GMC for his efforts.

Alex Kaminsky, Sr, WR – Kaminsky was named Second Team All-GMC after catching 22 balls for 351 yards and three touchdowns last fall.

OTHER RETURNEES
Aaron McKenzie, Sr, LB – McKenzie will be counted on as a leader of the defensive unit as a returning starter.

James Mitchell, Sr, RB – A jack-of-all-trades, Mitchell is primed for a monster senior year. He heads into his final season with 1,080 all-purpose, yards, 45 receptions and eight receiving touchdowns at the varsity level.

NEWCOMERS
There are six juniors that Krause is looking to have step in and fill voids left by graduation. On offense WR Myles Nared, WR Chico Robinson and RB Taimar Boykin will get a chance to show their skills.

Defensively LB Nashon Bell, LB Alvin Burke and DL Isiah Justice should make a solid core even better. With the talent on this side of the ball there is no reason the Indians can’t improve on the 21.6 points per game that they allowed in ’15.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(six appearances, 5-6) – 2015, 2013, 2005, 2000, 1999, 1986 (State Champions), 1985

2016 SCHEDULE
The GMC scheduling gods were not looking down in favor of Fairfield. The Indians will play everyone in the league except Oak Hills and Princeton who were a combined 4-16 a year ago. Add on three grueling non-conference games at Centerville, hosting Northmont and on the road versus Dublin Coffman.

MODEST STREAKS
Fairfield has become a consistent winner under Krause. The Indians had two four-game winning streaks in 2015.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
There is plenty of motivation for the Indians to get back to the postseason after they ended last year with a heartbreaking 50-42 playoff loss to Elder in the playoffs. Fairfield gave up 19 unanswered points to the Panthers in the game’s final 5:43 after being up by 11 with 7:16 left in that contest.

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