Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — No one saw it coming, but the Fairland Dragons saw to it that it would come.

Winning for only the fourth time in their series with Portsmouth West since it began in 1981, the Dragons used a balanced offense and tough defense to beat the Senators 34-14 on Friday in the season opener.

“That’s a great win for our program,” said Fairland coach Dave Carroll. “The kids played great and they prepared hard all week. We’ve only beat them twice since 2004 when I was an assistant.”

Fairland had 279 total yards with 186 coming on the ground. Quarterback Chance Short hit 8 of 15 attempts for 93 yards and two scores.

Nathan Campbell ran nine times for 61 yards and a score and also caught two passes for 22 yards and touchdown.

West had 215 yards on the ground and 54 passing, but the Dragons were able to stifle the Senators’ scoring attempts by forcing three turnovers and blocking a punt.

“My coaching staff did a phenomenal job. I give a lot of credit to the defense and the coaches did a phenomenal job with the defensive game plan,” said Carroll.

West went 67 yards in five plays to start the game as Zack Frye ran 37 yards for the touchdown and it was 7-0.

But the Dragons came back with a 36-yard, nine-play drive as Tyree Ceasar ran 2 yards for the score. Issiah Vidal’s conversion kick tied the game.

Fairland took the lead for good with 8:41 left in the half at 13-7 on a 1-yard plunge by Campbell to cap a 44-yard, seven-play march.

Darren Bishop then blocked a punt and the Dragons recovered at the 27. Ceasar bolted into the end zone on the next play and the lead was 20-7 at the half.

The Dragons put together a 57-yard, nine-play drive that ended on a 30-yard pass from Sowards to Luke Phillips. Cody Midkiff caught the conversion pass and it was 28-7

The Senators responded with a nine-play drive of their own with Frye going the final 10 yards of the 48-yard drive and it was 28-14.

But Fairland put the game away on an 18-yard scoring strike from Sowards to Campbell.

Ports. West 7 0 0 7 = 14

Fairland 7 13 8 6 = 34

First Quarter

PW — Zack Frye 37 runs (Zach Dials kick) 10:15

Fa — Tyree Ceasar 2 run (Issiah Vidal kick) 6:20

Second Quarter

Fa — Nathan Campbell 1 run (kick failed) 8:41

Fa — Tyree Ceasar 27 run (Issiah Vidal kick) 6:20

Third Quarter

Fa – Luke Phillips 30 pass from Chance Short (Issaih Vidal) 2:10

Fourth Quarter

PW — Zack Frye 10 run (Zach Dials kick) 7:41

Fa — Nathan Campbell 18 pass from Chance Short (kick failed) 4:50

PW Fa

First downs 13 12

Rushes-yards 46-215 33-186

Passing yards 54 93

Total yards 269 279

Cmp-Att-Int 5-10-2 8-15-1

Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-1

Penalties-Yards 6-44 5-40

Punts 0-00.0 1-33.0

Individual Leaders

RUSHING—West: Zack Frye 6-53, Chris Zapk 5-17, Justin Crace 8-34, Austin Bricker 17-74, Alec Meeker 8-36, Dillon Coos 1-1; Fairland: Nathan Campbell 9-61, Tyree Ceasar 12-43.

PASSING—West: Austin Bricker 8-15-1 93; Fairland: Chance Short 8-15-1.

RECEIVING — Zack Fyre 4-34, Justin Scott 1-20; Fairland: Nathan Campbell 2-22, Luke Phillips 2-38, Cody Midkiff 1-20, Kyle Sowards 2-8, Derrick Willis 1-5.