Fairfield football burns Knoxville on ground, through the air

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield football team was buzzing Friday night, both in the rushing attack and in the passing game. The Trojans torched Knoxville for six scores in a 42-22 victory.

“We just played good Trojan football,” said Fairfield head coach Nate Weaton. “We went back to what we did in Weeks 1 and 2.”

The Trojans got the ball first and scored right away, pounding away on the ground with rushes to Teddy Metcalf and Hunter Cecchini. A 9-yard rush touchdown to Cecchini gave Fairfield an early 7-0 lead, and the junior back added another score just before half.

“The line kicked in when we needed it to, all game,” Cecchini said. “Teddy blocking for me and me blocking for him is a good duo.”

Cecchini’s two touchdowns sandwiched a pair of passing touchdowns, both from Tate Allen to Max Weaton. Weaton had not found the end zone yet before Friday’s contest, but he ended the night with three touchdowns.

“It's always a monkey on your back to get that first score of the season,” Max Weaton said. “Props to Tate, he put it in the perfect position.”

The Trojans led 28-7 at halftime, with Knoxville’s only score coming on a kick return. The Panthers cut it to 28-15 with a score and a two-point conversion to start the fourth quarter, but they never got closer.

Fairfield’s final score of the day went to Joey Valdez, who scooped up a fumbled ball and crossed the goal line after Allen scrambled for 20 yards and gave the ball up inches from the end zone.

Fairfield ended non-district play 3-1. It will start the district schedule next weekend against Keokuk, in what will be the Trojans’ homecoming game.