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2023 Snapshot: Fairfield

When people think of the top of the Greater Miami Conference, people may think of Lakota West, Princeton, and in years past, Colerain. But one of the most consistent teams in the upper half of the conference has been the Fairfield Indians, coming off yet another season in the top four of the conference.

In his 12 years as head coach, Jason Krause has a 71-57 record at Fairfield, which have yielded in nine playoff appearances, including eight straight going into 2023. With a lot of strength coming back under center and at the offensive skill positions, Fairfield is poised to go to the next level in the GMC and in the playoffs in 2023.

Led by star quarterback Talon Fisher, the offense put up 344 points in 2022, third in the GMC behind Lakota West and Princeton. There are questions up front on both sides of the ball, but Fairfield returns enough star talent on both sides of the ball, not to mention a three-year starter at kicker, to make some noise.

The schedule also does some favors for Fairfield. Out of the GMC games, the combined 2022 record of the teams Fairfield will face on home soil is 36-24, while the combined record of the teams the Indians will hit the road and face is 14-29. Getting the better teams at home could provide elements for upsets.

Division I, Region 4
2022 RECORD: 7-4, 6-3 GMC
COACH: Jason Krause (71-57 at Fairfield, 12 years; 156-125 overall, 26 years)

HONOR ROLL
Talon Fisher, Sr, QB – 6-1/215 – Fisher will become the third quarterback in the GMC to start for four years in the 21st century, joining Spencer Ware (Princeton) and Mitch Bolden (Lakota West) in the elite group. In 2022, Fisher threw for 1,386 yards and nine touchdowns, while also doing damage on the ground with 1,566 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. For his career, he’s tallied 3,168 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, while adding 3,031 yards on the ground and 39 rushing touchdowns. Fisher has offers from Air Force, Army, Buffalo, Dartmouth, Furman, UMass, Miami (OH) and Navy. Named OPSWA Division I Second Team All-Ohio, Third Team All-TriState Football and TSF Cincinnati Offensive Player of the Year Finalist as a junior;  Second Team All-GMC as sophomore; Second Team All-GMC as freshman.

Jordan Baker, Sr, LB – 6-2/225 – Baker returns in 2023 as the leading tackler in 2022. He accumulated 62 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Baker holds an offer from Thomas More and was named First Team All-GMC in 2022.

Braeden Shanklin, Sr, FS – Shanklin saw action on both sides of the ball in 2022 but will be tasked to control the back end on defense this season. Coming off a Second Team All-GMC honor, Shanklin tallied over 300 all-purpose yards on offense, while recording 12 total tackles on defense.

Rylan Creutzinger, Sr, OL – 6-0/290 – Creutzinger will be a stalwart on an inexperienced offensive line. He was named Second Team All-GMC as a junior last season.

Aiden McGuire, Jr, K – McGuire is coming into his junior year as two-year successful two-year starter. He converted 41 of 43 extra points and a perfect five-for-five on field goals. This success led to him being named Second Team All-GMC.

OTHER RETURNEES
Dorian Soriano, Sr, LB – Soriano will be another defensive leader for the Indians after totaling 51 tackles, 4.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss and one fumble recovery last season. Soriano has an offer from Thomas More.

Juesters Fataki, Sr, RB/S – With most carries going to Fisher and the graduated Jordon Jackson, Fataki has waited his turn to be the guy at running back. In eight games last season, Fataki put up 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He also hauled in seven passes for 140 yards and one touchdown.

Noah King, Jr, WR – 6-2/187 – King will be Fisher’s #1 target in 2023. King has become a hot commodity this offseason picking up offers from BGSU, Miami (OH), Toledo and West Virginia.

NEWCOMERS
Juniors CB/WR Derion Prophett, slot Tyler George, slot/RB A’Shion Ruff and LB Mason Gatto will play vital roles in the success of the Indians this fall. Prophett has snared offers from BGSU and UMass.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(14 appearances, 7-13) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2005, 2000, 1999, 1986 (State Champion), 1985

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – at Wayne (6-5 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – SYCAMORE (0-10)  – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – LAKOTA WEST (13-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – at Lakota East (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – MASON (10-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – at Hamilton (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – PRINCETON (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – at Oak Hills (5-6)  – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – at Middletown (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – COLERAIN (4-7) – 7:00 PM

 

 

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