Fairfield preps for Benton

Fairfield is looking to build off a year of growth for key members of its roster last season. The 2024 iteration of the Trojans finished 2-7, including a 1-4 record in Class 3A District 5.

Now in District 4, Fairfield will begin the 2025 season with a road matchup against Benton. The Trojans and Bobcats will face off at 7:30 p.m. CT Friday at Benton Community High School Stadium.

Fairfield’s biggest departure from a season that saw it finish sixth out of seven teams in District 5 was running back and linebacker Luke Konczal. He led the way on the ground for with 790 yards and eight touchdowns. Konczal also racked up a team high 100.5 tackles on defense.

The Trojans do retain several significant contributors from a season ago. Starting quarterback Voss Richardson is back for his junior season. Richardson completed 41 of 106 passes for 493 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. He also added 140 yards on the ground and served as the Trojans punter. He had 18 punts with a 34.7-yard average.

Running backs Zandrik Allison and Ethan Bisgard made up a strong room along with Konczal last season, and both will return for their junior campaigns. Allison tallied 765 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Bisgard matched Allison’s mark with eight rushing touchdowns, along with 374 yards. Bisgard also led Fairfield in receiving with 22 catches for 262 yards and a pair of scores through the air.

Both players also project to be major contributors at the linebacker position. Bisgard ranked second on the team with 29.5 tackles, including one for loss and had a sack in 2024.

Allison racked up 24.5 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks and a team-high two interceptions. Allison also served as Fairfield’s kicker last season. He missed his lone field goal attempt and hit 13 of 19 extra points.

Junior linebacker Blake Barnett and senior defensive lineman Calvin McLain also return after strong 2024 campaigns for Fairfield. Barnett ranked fifth on the team in tackles with 23. McLain added 21 tackles and his 1.5 sacks led the Trojans.

After a 2-2 start to the 2024 season, Benton ripped off five straight wins to finish first place in Class 3A District 5. The Bobcats’ run began with a 29-14 win over then-district-opponent Fairfield and ended with a 34-27 defeat to Solon in the first round of the 3A playoffs.

Like Fairfield, the Bobcats also retain their starting quarterback from last season. Senior Carson Nolan threw for 624 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions in 2024.

Nolan will also impact the running game for Benton against Fairfield and beyond this season. The Bobcats lost leading rusher Dylan LeFebvere, who racked up 956 yards and 20 touchdowns, which ranked third in Class 3A. Nolan was the team’s second leading rusher with 540 yards and five scores on 79 carries.

Benton also has to replace its top wide receiver, Logan Upah. Senior Brody Timmerman (15 catches for 133 yards in 2024) will help carry the mantle. Fellow senior Eli Patterson will also be a name to watch against Fairfield. He had nine catches for 90 yards and a pair of scores last season.

On defense, the Bobcats lost five of their top six tacklers. Senior linebacker Grant Volesky is the lone returner from the group. He ranked second on the team with 61 tackles, including nine for loss in 2024.

Though Benton is looking for a new crop of talented tacklers, it did retain a key member of its secondary in Patterson. The wideout also plays safety for the Bobcats and snagged five interceptions last season, which was tied for the third-most in Class 3A. Patterson and Nolan both logged a pick-6 as part of the Bobcats secondary.