TriStateFootball.com
Home / Cincinnati / Preview: #22 Fairfield at #23 Mason

Preview: #22 Fairfield at #23 Mason

Fairfield LB Raymir Coney (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)

It will be a night where two struggling teams, Fairfield and Mason, try to right the ship and finish the back half of the 2024 season strong in Blitz 5 Game of the Week. The home team Comets have struggled mightily to score touchdowns. The Indians are on the opposite end of the spectrum with their inability to stop opponents from lighting up the scoreboard. It’s a night where something has to give and the winner should walk away with a huge boost of confidence moving forward.

#22 FAIRFIELD (2-3, 1-3) at #23 MASON COMETS (1-4, 1-3)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Tri-Health/Beacon Stadium
Follow on X @TSFootball

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Fairfield offense runs through Tyler George. The senior has run for 628 yards (at least 97 yards in every game), with 755 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns (six rush, one rec). A young Indians defense is led by juniors LB Raymir Coney, S Gabe Ross, LB Marcos Tiderman, DB Josiah Leonard, along with sophomores LB Axsel Rogers, LB Kobe Lewis and S Eric Ruther. They are the team’s top seven leading tacklers and all have at least 25 tackles. Junior LB Jake Schwartz has a team high seven tackles for losses.

Mason kicker Max Gogul has been the team’s offensive star to this point. He has scored 23 of the teams 53 points, going 6/8 on field goal tries and 5/5 extra point attempts. Picking up where he ended last season junior LB Alex Brown has 33 tackles, two sacks, three-and-a-half sacks and two fumble recoveries. Senior DB Kaiser Whilhelm has a team best four takeaways and leads the GMC with three interceptions.

TEAM TRENDS: Fairfield has had problem stopping teams. They have given up 109 points and 1,011 yards of total offense over the last two weeks. The Indians defense has spent more than two-thirds of the past two contests on the field trying to stop opposing offenses. Fairfield’s two wins are against Sycamore and Colerain who are a combined 1-9.

The Mason defense has allowed just 18.8 points per contest and have forced 13 turnovers. They have a plus-seven turnover margin yet the offense has only found the end zone four times on the season. The Comets are averaging just 10.6 points per game. The ground game is averaging just 1.7 yards per carry while toting the ball 34.3 times per contest.

HEAD COACHES:
Fairfield: Jason Krause (76-68 at Fairfield, 14th year; 161-136 overall, 28th year)

Mason: Brian Castner (92-65 at Mason, 15th year; 92-65 overall)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Fairfield (15 appearances, 7-14) – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2005, 2000, 1999, 1986 (State Champion), 1985

Mason (15 appearances, 8-15) – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2004, 2003, 1999, 1997, 1996

FAIRFIELD’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The defense has to get off the field. The Indians must show more toughness on this side of the ball. This is a great chance to fix their problems on this side of the ball. The offense needs to get the ground game going with George and alleviate some of the workload for the defense.

MASON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: It’s no secret here, the Comets have to find ways to get into the end zone. The offense must capitalize on the opportunities when the defense creates turnovers or three-and-outs.

Prediction: Fairfield 21, Mason 14

 

 

You must be logged in to post a comment Login