Mules’ Mistakes Prove Crucial In 36-14 Loss To Indians; Fall To 1-3

Looking at the final score, 36-14, it looks like the Fairfield Mules suffered a blowout loss in Johnston City Friday. But the final did not tell the full story of competitiveness in the game.

Justin Townsend’s Mules had more first downs than the Indians, dominated the time of possession and was outgained by just seven total yards. They had three empty trips into the Indians’ redzone. But what the final does demonstrate was how often the Mules shot themselves in the foot with the Indians making big plays when they needed them.

“We had them on the ropes. Quite frankly, we maybe let them off the hook a little bit. You can take three or four plays out of that game. To Johnston City’s credit, those plays went their way. That was the difference in the game,” Townsend said after the game.

Worst Start In BDC

For the Mules, it was their third loss in the first four games of the season. It is their worst start to a season since joining the Black Diamond Conference, with their last year with a record as bad through four weeks came in 2002, the final year they played in the NEC. Their first four opponents have combined for an 11-5 record, however. Their remaining five opponents currently have a combined eight wins.

For the Indians, was an extension of their streak on consecutive wins in the Black Diamond Conference. It was their 28^th straight win (counting three forfeits in the Covid year). The BDC record for consecutive wins is 36, held by…the Mules. If they win out, they would be going for a record tie next year…against the Mules.

Air Attack

Known over the years for their vaunted double win rush attack, the Mules managed just 76 yards on the ground against a stout Indian defense. They were able to find offensive success in the air, however, led by freshman triggerman Jaylen Maners, who is establishing himself more each game. He completed 22-of-28 passes for 222 yards and threw for both Mule scores. The 222 yards were the eighth most ever in a game for the Mules, and the most since John Warren had 241 in a game in 1996. The 22 completions was two shy of the school record, also held by Simpson.

Alek Couch finished the game with nine receptions, one shy of the school record, held by Marc Murphy.

The Mules led after the first quarter, getting the only score of the frame on their first possession. Maners was 3-for-3 throwing the ball on the drive, including a 28-yard strike to Trey Mason to set up a five-yard scoring pass to Mason once again. Mason then ran in the two-point play for an early  8-0 lead.

The Indians wing offense went to work on their first drive, methodically driving into the redzone and salting away the rest of the first quarter. They were able to overcome two penalties on the drive, including a 15-yard penalty for a late hit that set up a third-and-19. 6-4 senior quarterback Keaton Fort then picked up 14 yards and six yards on the next two plays, running in the second for a score. The Indians converted two third downs on the drive and one fourth down.

Fairfield moved the ball again on their second possession, getting all the way to the Indians’ three-yard line before a personal foul penalty set them back to the 22 and they were not able to complete a fourth down pass into the endzone.

Blocked Punt

Fairfield’s defense forced a three-and-out to get the ball back, but the Mules were also forced to punt on their next possession, which turned into another key play when the Indians blocked the punt and got the ball on the Mules’ eight-yard line. Nolan Causey scored on the very next play to give the Indians a 14-8 lead with 2:01 to play in the half.

The Indians were not done, however. The Mules nearly fumbled the ball away on first down, then threw two straight incompletions to force another fourth down. The Mules ran a fake punt with backup quarterback Cale Milner throwing from the up-back position. The play was open but dropped by tight end Landon Harrelson on the other end of the play to turn the ball over on downs.

The Indians got more help from the Mules with a facemask penalty on the very next play, then Fort his Jace Weaver for a 28-yard completion to set up a one-yard score from Causey for a 22-8 halftime lead, with all 22 coming in the second quarter for the Indians.

Needing to right the ship in the second half, the Mules’ defense did its job early, forcing a three-and-out, although the Mules nearly fumbled away the punt return. The Mules went to the air five times on their next drive, all completions, with the fifth being a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jay Snyder. They missed the extra point pass to trail 22-14.

In a microcosm of the game, Johnston City fumbled the snap on their very next offensive play, but Fort picked up the loose ball and rushed up the gut for a 69-yard touchdown.

The air raid continued for the Mules, with Maners hitting three different receviers on the next possession and moving the Mules to the Johnston City 19 before turning the ball over on downs when Fort was able to tip a pass away from a streaking J. Snyder in the endzone.

The Indians got a 65-yard run from 150-pound junior Cannon Ashmore on their next possession to set up a bulldozing 10-yard run by 230-pound junior Evan Sanders. That put the Indians up 36-14.

Redzone Woes

Still, Fairfield had one more chance for a score, matriculating all the way to the Johnston City one before their fourth fumble of the game came at the goal line. The Mules were close enough to the endzone when center Jacob Combs snapped the ball, he was snapping it with the point of the ball in the endzone. The Indians were then able to salt away the rest of the game and take a knee on the final play.

“I am proud of the way the guys battled tonight. It stinks to lose, but I told them I feel like we are trending up. We are starting to roll a little bit, figure out some things about ourselves offensively. The defense played their butts off and they keep improving each week. That was a really good football team that beat us tonight. We just have to keep working,” Townsend said.

The Mules (1-3) will host Carmi Friday. The Bulldogs are 3-1, coming off their first loss of the year to Sesser-Valier. The Bulldogs offense is led by the top rusher in the league in Caleb Seibers. He has 601 yards, despite only playing three games as Carmi took a forfeit in week three.

Week 4 BDC Scores

Flora 18, Eldorado 14

Sesser-Valier 32, Carmi 30

Hamilton Co. 10, Edwards Co. 0

Chester 55, CZR 14

BDC Standings

Johnston City     4-0

Sesser-Valier      4-0

Flora   3-1

Carmi  3-1

Hamilton Co.      2-2

Fairfield              1-3

Eldorado            1-3

Edwards Co.       0-4

CZR     0-4

Week 5 Matchups

Carmi at Fairfield

CZR at Sesser-Valier

Eldorado at Hamilton Co.

Johnston City at Flora