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Preview: #24 Mason at #20 Fairfield

Fairfield QB Talon Fisher (Courtesy of Fairfield Athletics)

It’s a GMC battle between a pair of squads grappling to find their identities as Mason heads west to face Fairfield in the Blitz 5 Game of the Week. The visiting Comets are searching for some offensive firepower while the Indians have struggled defensively. Something has to give on Friday night as the winner moves to .500 in conference play and feels pretty good about themselves heading into the second half of the season.

#24 MASON COMETS (1-3, 1-2) at #20 FAIRFIELD INDIANS (1-3, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Fairfield Alumni Stadium
Follow on X: @TSFootball 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Mason defense has had its moments, but needs to get back to the level it showed it was capable of being in the first two weeks when they gave up 19 points and forced five turnovers. The unit is paced by linebacker Kai Woolfolk. The senior has 41 total tackles. He is averaging seven solo takedowns per contest, with five tackles for losses and a sack. The Comets’ offense has not found any cohesion with three different quarterbacks, Quinn Brown, Caden Ashurst and Ashton Sheafe all logging significant snaps. Coach Brian Castner would love to see a leader emerge from that group as the second half of the year becomes so important for momentum.

Fairfield quarterback and four-year starter Talon Fisher fuels the Indians’ engine. Fisher has racked up 976 yards of total offense (551 passing, 425 rushing) and accounted for 13 touchdowns (seven passing, six rushing) The Navy commit has run for 3,456 yards and thrown for 3,719 yards with 22 passing touchdowns and 45 rushing touchdowns in his career. Junior Noah King is coming off his first 100-yard game receiving. He has had touchdown catches in five of the last eight games he has played in. The defense is led by senior Jordan Baker, Braeden Shanklin, Demiere Clark and Dorian Soriano.

TEAM TRENDS: Both schools have made eight straight playoff appearances. Before their runs, Fairfield only qualified for the postseason six times in school history from 1985 to 2014 (30 years). Mason made just six trips to the playoffs between 1996 and 2014 (19 years).

Mason has only scored more than six points in a game, one time. The Comets are averaging 9.5 points per game. They have three turnovers in each of the last three tilts, compounding their woes on offense. The good news is that Mason’s average margin of defeat is only 10.8 points per contest. That means that they are hanging around, but not closing out opponents.

The Fairfield defense has had a hard time getting off the field. Opponents are converting 63.2 percent (31-49) of their third down attempts and 57.1 percent (4-7) of their fourth down attempts. That has led to the Indians allowing 38.25 points and 398.8 yards of total offense per game (228.8 rush, 171.0 pass). 

HEAD COACHES:
Mason: Brian Castner (85-58 at Mason, 14th year; 85-58 overall)

Fairfield: Jason Krause (72-60 at Fairfield, 13th year; 157-128 overall, 27th year)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Mason (14 appearances, 6-14) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2004, 2003, 1999, 1997, 1996

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

MASON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Holding Fisher in check and forcing someone else to step up and make plays will keep the Comets hanging around deep into the second half. Offensively, seniors Braden Greer, Sky Talley and Chase Blevens all need to bring their “A-Game” at the skills positions. Something that has yet to happen for Mason. That trio could make life miserable for the Indians with their speed and ability to get to the second level of the defense and beyond.

FAIRFIELD’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The offense needs to get out of the gate with a couple of quick scores and make Mason uncomfortable playing catch up. Do that, then the Indians’ defense can be more aggressive and create opportunities. They only have three sacks and two takeaways on the year.

Prediction: Fairfield 21, Mason 13

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