Fairfield done in by Ottumwa comeback

Through halftime of Fairfield’s road football game in Ottumwa on Friday night, it looked like the Trojans may be destined for a 2-0 start to the season. By the end of the game, it was the Bulldogs who were celebrating.

Ottumwa stormed back from a 9-0 halftime deficit to stun the Trojans 22-16. It was the Bulldogs’ second comeback win of the season, having nipped Oskaloosa last week.

Fairfield dominated the opening two quarters, out-gaining the Bulldogs by almost 100 yards in the first two quarters. The Trojans scored their only touchdown in the final 20 seconds on the second quarter when Tate Allen found Max Weaton on a 13-yard touchdown pass.

It was the first of two touchdown passes by Allen. In the third quarter, he found Cason Miller for a 32-yard score to bring the lead back up to 16-7, after the Bulldogs pushed one in earlier in the period.

But that nine-point lead would vanish in the fourth. Ottumwa scored touchdowns on two-straight drives to steal the lead late, and the Trojans found themselves down 22-16 with time ticking down.

Fairfield drove the field and flirted with a red zone attempt, but an Ottumwa interception sealed it, and the Trojans were handed their first loss of the year.

It was the second-straight loss for Fairfield in the series, which picked up last season with a 7-0 Bulldog win.

The Trojans will return home next week where they will take on Fort Madison (2-0). Next Friday’s game will be Military Appreciation Night.