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Preview: St. Xavier at Fairfield

Fairfield RB Jordon Jackson (photo by: Shelby Frieszell /TriStateFootball.com)

The playoffs are here! Sixteen teams from Division I, Region IV start their quest for a state crown in the first round. Of the many battles lined up, the GCL South and the GMC send two of their best into a clash that is sure to be very competitive as the Fairfield Indians host the St. Xavier Bombers just off Dixie Highway in Fairfield. Both the Indians and the Bombers are trying to find some momentum to play to their highest ability. Both teams have shown that when they play to the level that they are capable of, they can compete with some of the top teams in the state. Round one is surely to be a competitive masterpiece on Friday night.

#9 St. Xavier (4-6) at #8 Fairfield (7-3)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., October 28th
Fairfield Alumni Stadium
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: St. Xavier linebacker Alex Devine ranked second in the GCL-S with 79 tackles in the regular season. The senior added six tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception to pace a defense that has put its best foot forward in some big games this season. Offensively the Bombers have relied heavily on tailback Steven Napier who has churned out 733 yards on the ground this season but did miss last week’s season finale. Jamaal Sharp leads the team as the squad’s top wideout with 42 receptions, 641 yards, and three touchdowns to lead the conference. Sophomore quarterback Chase Herbstreit has passed for 497 yards and completed 54 percent of his passes in five weeks since being named a starter.
Fairfield quarterback Talon Fisher has put up one of the better seasons for a quarterback in recent memory. The senior play caller finished fourth in the GMC in passing with 1,217 yards and eight touchdowns. He led the conference in rushing with 1,342 yards and 15 trips to the end zone. Fisher has been a constant threat to score on any given play. If that weren’t enough, Fisher’s mate in the backfield is West Virginia commit Jordon Jackson. The GMC’s third leading rusher has accumulated 805 yards and six touchdowns on the season. Defensively the Indians look to the league’s third leading tackler Kavi Bivens (76 tackles, 2 FF, 2 FR) and fifth leading tackler Ray Coney (69 tackles, 1 FF) to anchor them.
TEAM TRENDS: St. Xavier have gone toe to toe with a pair of the best teams in the state of Ohio, losing by a combined six points to Lakota West and Moeller. In those two games they only gave up a total of 36 points. The Bombers have also given up 34 or more points to teams three times this season making their efforts and performances have a true Jekyll and Hyde feel to them.
The Bombers have won two of their last three games after enduring a three game skid mid-season.  The St. Xavier defense, which has deviated some away from the 3-3-5 stack defense has 23 sacks on the season as a team. Offensively as of late they have been much more affective on the ground than in the passing game.
After a torrid 5-0 start, Fairfield has cooled off over the back half of the season. The Indians have gone 2-3 down the stretch and just barely managed to avoid a three game skid when they slid by Lakota East last week. Through it all, Fairfield has continued their potent rushing attack. The Indians go for 256 yards a night on the ground, making them one of the better rushing teams in the area.
Defensively the Indians give up a respectable 19 points per game and have been solid against the run, which could bode them well in their upcoming matchup. The defensive unit has nine takeaways on the season with six of those being fumble recoveries.

HEAD COACHES:

St. Xavier: Steve Specht (168-67 at St. Xavier, 19th year; 168-67 overall)

Fairfield: Jason Krause (71-56 at Fairfield, 12th year; 156-124 overall, 26th year)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:

St. Xavier (28 appearances, 54-24 overall) – 2021, 2020 (State Champion), 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 (State Champion), 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 (Regional Champions), 2010, 2009, 2007 (State Champion), 2006, 2005 (State Champion), 2004, 2002, 2001 (State Runner-up), 2000, 1999, 1998 (State Runner-up), 1997, 1994, 1993, 1992 (State Runner-up), 1987, 1981.

Fairfield (13 appearances, 7-12) – 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2005, 2000, 1999, 1986 (State Champion), 1985

ST. XAVIER KEYS TO VICTORY:  Stop the run. Fairfield has shown that they do have some threats in the passing game but are much more effective when they control the game on the ground with Fisher, Jackson, and company. If the Bombers can slow down the potent rushing attack and force the Indians into third and long, they can pull the upset and advance.

FAIRFIELD KEYS TO VICTORY: Start fast and stop the run. The Bombers’ passing game since Chase Herbstreit has taken over has been a shell of itself from early on in the season. St. X does have a great threat on the outside with Jamaal Sharp but Fairfield should look to make Herbstreit beat them through the air. If Fairfield can get out to an early lead and make the St. Xavier offense rely on an air attack, the Indians should see themselves continuing to week 12.

 

Prediction: Fairfield 27, St. Xavier 17

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