2021 Snapshot: Fairfield

A young team and a Covid-19 shortened year didn’t do Fairfield any favors, in 2020. The program broke a streak of seven straight winning seasons. The seven losses were the most by the school since 2012. The now veteran Indians are ready to prove they belong in the Greater Miami Conference’s upper echelon.

The good news on a rather bleak campaign, was that the expanded postseason format saw Fairfield makes its program best, sixth consecutive playoff appearance (all under head coach Jason Krause). The Indians acquitted themselves well in a 42-39 loss at Elder. It was a painful but important building block for the 2021 campaign.

Fairfield learned the valuable lesson of just how precious and coveted playoff wins are. The Indians surrendered an 11-point fourth quarter lead before succumbing to Elder in “The Pit.” It was a game that no one thought Fairfield should be in because of their youth, yet they showed the character and heart for what is to come.

Fairfield will hang around in a lot of battles. They led the GMC in rushing, last fall. Controlling the clock, through the run game, will play a huge role in this team’s success.

“We have a ton of experience returning. We started eight sophomores and a freshman quarterback, last year. All are back, bigger, faster and stronger,” Krause states. The Indians have size and athleticism. This team should be back to its winning ways, sooner rather than later.

Fairfield RB Ki’arran Love (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Division I, Region 4
2020 RECORD: 2-7, 1-5 GMC
COACH: Jason Krause (58-48 at Fairfield, 10 years; 143-116 overall, 24 years)

HONOR ROLL
Augie Groh, Sr, OL 6-foot-5, 275-pounds – Helped pave the way for an Indians rushing attack that averaged a GMC best 272.2 yards per game with 29 touchdowns, in 2020. Groh earned OPSWA Division I Second Team All-Southwest District honors for his work. He has offers from Air Force, Army, Furman, Marshall and Youngstown State.

Kendrix Goodman, Sr, OG – A two-time Second Team All-GMC selection, look for Goodman to be a dominant force up front. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound o-lineman has offers from Ball State, Kentucky, Marshall and Pitt.

Dalton Davis, Jr, OL/DL – A pleasant surprise on both sides of the line as a sophomore. With another good season Davis should start see the offers heading his way. 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman was named Second Team All-GMC (OL), last fall. Davis also had 18 total tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and fumble recovery on defense.

Quentin Gehm, Sr, LB – A leader of a defense that should vastly improve on the 28.2 points per game that they allowed, in 2020. Gehm registered 54 total tackles and two sacks, as a junior. He was named Second Team All-GMC.

Talon Fisher, So, QB – Was third in the GMC with 915 yards (114.4/game) and nine touchdowns rushing, as a freshman. He was named Second Team All-GMC for the effort. Fisher, who runs a 4.4 40-yard dash, looks to see if his arm can catch up to his legs. The Indians have the receiving core to help make that happen. He threw for 401 yards with just one touchdown pass and six interceptions, in his debut. Fisher has an offer from Buffalo.

Freshmen of Influence: The Class of 2024 

Fairfield QB Talon Fisher (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)

OTHER RETURNEES
Trent Stephenson, Sr, slot – Get Stephenson out in space and let him work his magic. He had team highs with 14 receptions and 162 receiving yards, with a touchdown catch, in 2020.

Nate Hannah, Sr, WR/DB – Will make a difference on both sides of the ball. Hannah had 14 receptions for 142 yards, one touchdown catch and 22 total tackles, as a junior.

Ki’Arran Love, Jr, RB – Does so many little things to aid the offense. Love gets the chance to be the Indians featured running back. He threw for 168 yards, ran for 76 yards, had three receptions for 34 yards and accounted for four touchdowns (three rush, one pass), as a sophomore.

James Thomas, Jr, TE – Could be a real hidden gem in the red zone. Thomas had a pair of catches for 50 yards, in two games, last season.

Isaiah Glover, Jr, WR – Adds depth to the group at receiver. Glover should get plenty of targets this fall.

Kavi Bivins, Jr, LB – A tough-as-nails player. Bivins produces on both sides of the ball. He had six rushing touchdowns (three versus Hamilton, two against Elder), 32 total tackles and two fumble recoveries, a year ago.

Ray Coney, Jr, S – Was solid in his first year as a starter. Coney tallied 25 total tackles, with a sack and an interception, as a sophomore.

Jordan Jackson, Jr, CB – What a luxury the Indians have at cornerback – “Jackson & Jackson, Shut Down, Inc.” Jordan Jackson recorded 42 total tackles and had an interception, in his first year as a starter, in 2020.

Fairfield CB Jordan Jackson (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Josiah Jackson, Jr, DB – The future looks very bright over the next two season for the Fairfield secondary. Josiah Jackson was in on 41 total tackles and had an interception as a sophomore.

NEWCOMERS
Juniors DL Aamir Rogers, DL Amani Oden, slot/CB Michael Figgins and sophomore OL Isaiah Moore all have legitimate shots at cracking the starting lineup. Senior WR Christian Jackson, a transfer from Mount Healthy, brings instant leadership and experience to the receiving corp. He had 17 receptions for 336 yards, as a junior.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(12 appearances, 6-11) – 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2005, 2000, 1999, 1986 (State Champion), 1985

2021 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/20/21 – at Centerville (4-4 in 2020) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/27/21 – SPRINGFIELD (8-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/03/21 – at Sycamore (1-7)  – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/10/21 – OAK HILLS (2-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/17/21 – at Princeton (6-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/24/21 – HAMILTON (6-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/01/21 – at Lakota West (8-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/08/21 – MASON (5-3)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/15/21 – at Lakota East (4-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/22/21 – MIDDLETOWN (1-6) – 7:00 PM

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