FMS seventh-graders split Tuesday games

FORT MADISON ? Tony Zapata gained more than 200 yards on the ground, and the Fairfield Middle School seventh-grade ?A? football team broke into the win column Tuesday.

The Trojans beat the Bloodhounds in Fort Madison 22-8 to improve to 1-2 on the season.

Zapata carried the ball 19 times for 222 yards, was a perfect 4-of-4 passing for 37 yards and scored all three touchdowns for the ?A? team, including one 36-yard punt return for a score.

Brandon Smithburg tallied 19 yards on the ground, Josh Osby hauled in three passes for 17 yards and Denver Schultz caught one 20-yard pass.

Defensively, Michael Fritz had a team-high 12 tackles along with a fumble recovery. Osby and Trent Hanen made six and five tackles, respectively.

In the ?B? game, Charles Heisel scored on a 64-yard touchdown run, but it wasn?t enough as the squad fell 22-6 for its first loss of the season.

Heisel gained 67 yards on the ground and recorded five tackles, while Alex Conrad led the defense with seven stops.

With the loss, the ?B? team?s record is now 1-1-1.

Both squads will travel to Ottumwa Tuesday for their next game vs. Ottumwa?s Evans Middle School.