Mules Get First Running Clock Victory Of Year; Improve To 3-4

The Fairfield Mules have had at least one running-clock win every year since 2007, but had not had one yet this year, entering week seven. They extended that streak to 17 seasons with a 58-14 Homecoming win Saturday afternoon at the Train Yard.

Fairfield scored the first 48 points of the game, all in the first half against the CZR Bearcats, who came in to the game winless. Fairfield improved to 3-4 on the year, winning their second straight as they try to reel off four straight to end the year to get playoff eligible.

Leading the way for the Mules was senior Trey Mason, who showed he can score in a multitude of ways. He ran for two touchdowns, caught another one and added a defensive score as well with an interception return.

Two of those Mason scores came in the first quarter alone, as the Mules established dominance early by scoring on their first five possessions. The sixth score was Mason’s 37-yard interception return for a 46-0 lead.

Senior Jay Snyder opened the scoring with a three-yard run at 8:56 in the first quarter, capping a short drive set up by a three-and-out by the Bearcats and then an 11-yard punt.

CZR gave the Mules a short field again on their next possession, after a 14-yard punt. Freshman quarterback Jaylen Maners hit Mason for 41-yard touchdown through the air on the very next play for a 14-0 lead.

After starting their first two possessions on the Bearcats’ 37 and 41, they got even better starting position on their third possession, after Israel Sargent intercepted Landon Sveda and returned the ball to the three-yard line. Mason would score from one yard out for a 22-0 lead with more than three minutes remaining in the first quarter.

CZR’s third punt of the game was another short one, 15 yards, and the Mules took over on the CZR 44. Fullback Latrael Snyder had his number called for a seven yard touchdown run early in the second quarter for a 30-0 lead.

The Bearcats started to get something going, moving into Mules territory finally before Max Johnston knocked the ball loose from CZR running back Briar Rowland and Trenton Mason came up with the fumble recovery. That set up a 39-yard touchdown pass from Maners to tight end Alek Couch three plays later.

Mason’s interception was the Bearcats’ third turnover of the first half and put the Mules up 46 with 4:53 to play in the first half.

“They have some really nice players, but what we had seen on film was if you did not let them hang around, if you jumped on them early, they would wilt. We got off to a great start today,” Mules coach Justin Townsend said.

Fairfield could not maintain the ever-important 40-point advantage through halftime, however, allowing a CZR score late in the half. A horse collar penalty and a 32-yard completion from Sveda to Rowland set up a one-yard scoring plunge by Roland as the Bearcats cut the lead to 46-8 at halftime.

Fairfield’s lone punt came on their first possession of the second half, but they got on the board again with a 13-play drive on their second possession of the half, capped off by a 15-yard scamper from Mason for his fourth touchdown of the day. That would start the running block with 4:24 to play in the third and bring in the subs for the remainer of the game.

Logan Tullis added a five-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter and then CZR added a second touchdown with 3:34 to play in the game for the 58-14 final.

Mason ran for 86 yards and had 41 more receiving for 127 total yards on offense, 37 more on the interception return. J. Snyder had 80 total yards with a touchdown as well. Maners threw for 123 yards with two more touchdown passes as he inches toward a 1,000-yard passing season in his freshman season. He entered the game with 796 passing yards. The Mules have only had nine 1,000-yard passing seasons in school history from seven different players.

“Our offensive line, all five of them, as well as h-back Eric Locke all played a great game up front blocking,” Townsend noted after the game.

Rowland was the majority of the Bearcat offense, rushing for 50 yards and catching 55 yards for 105 total yards. CZR finished with just 191 total yards as a team. They were held to 11-of-25 in the passing game, with several of the completions coming on shovel passes. They also had nine penalties for 55 yards and averaged just 3.4 yards per play.

Defensively, Israel Sargent led the way with eight solo tackles, one assists, one tack for loss and an interception. Up front, Bronson Rilea had five solos, one assists and two tackles for loss.

Fairfield (3-4) will travel to Hamilton County Friday for a matchup that could very well decide their playoff fate. The Foxes are 4-3 on the year, one spot ahead of the Mules  in the BDC standings.

“They have West Frankfort in week nine, so I know that game against us is a game they feel like they have to have as well,” Townsend said. “We will be ready. We feel like we are playing our best football now.”

The BDC championship will likely be on the line in Johnston City this week as well, with 7-0 Sesser-Valier traveling to face the 7-0 Indians.

Week 7 Scores

Hamilton Co. 38, Flora 34

Carmi 44, Edwards Co. 7

Sesser-Valier 46, Eldorado 6

BDC Standings

Sesser-Valier 7-0

Johnston City     7-0

Carmi  6-1

Hamilton Co.      4-3

Fairfield              3-4

Flora   3-4

Eldorado            1-6

Edwards Co.       1-6

CZR     0-7

Week 8 Schedule

CZR at Edwards Co.

Fairfield at Hamilton Co.

Sesser-Valier at Johnston City

Flora at Dupo

Carmi at Eldorado