Keokuk spoils Fairfield’s homecoming

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield celebrated its homecoming last week and Friday night it ended the festivities on the gridiron against Southeast Conference foe Keokuk.

While the week was filled with celebration, there wasn’t much to cheer for when the final whistle blew Friday evening.

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Keokuk wrecked Fairfield’s homecoming with a 30-13 final.

The Trojans (2-2) were held scoreless through the first half, before finding the end zone in the second. By that time though it was too little too late.

Fairfield looked poised out of the gate.

On their opening drive, the Trojans went over nearly 50 yards from their own 28-yard line, highlighted by a 32-yard rush from Cason Miller.

However, the drive ended with a field-goal attempt, which was blocked.

In its opening drive, Keokuk (2-2) started on the right foot.

The Chiefs started at their own seven-yard line.

Thirteen plays later, Keokuk quarterback Brenton Hoard hit Diego Garcia from three yards out on fourth down.

Keokuk scored twice on the drive after a holding negated the original score.

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Hoard was a thorn in the side of the Trojans all night long. He would finish with 245 yards through the air and another 170 on the ground.

Following the Chiefs drive, just 1:48 remained in the opening quarter.

The defenses kicked it up a notch in the second, as there were four punts in the frame.

After three consecutive punts, Keokuk put points on the board once again, this time slipping the ball through the uprights for three with just 30 seconds left.

Fairfield tried to get the ball downfield in the final seconds but was forced to punt again.

Out of the halftime break, Fairfield found some momentum.

After a three-and-out by Keokuk, Fairfield used a heavy dose of Sam Weaton and Miller to get down the field.

Miller capped off the eight-play drive with a five-yard touchdown to make it just a three-point game, 10-7.

Keokuk answered right away.

The Chiefs put together an eight-play drive themselves.

A 45-yard quarterback draw by Hoard moved the Chiefs deep into Fairfield territory.

Fairfield had Keokuk at 4th and six with a fantastic opportunity to kill the drive, but the Chiefs converted and Hoard rushed it in from nine yards out to extend the lead to 17-7 with 2:34 to go in the third.

Fairfield was forced to punt once again on its next drive, and with just under 10 minutes to go in the fourth, a 70-yard touchdown pass by Hoard made it 23-7.

In desperation mode and needing a score on its next drive to stay alive, the Trojans marched it down inside the Chiefs 20 with eight minutes to go, but an interception gave the ball back to Keokuk with 7:49 on the clock.

The Chiefs captivated on the turnover and scored seven more with 3:39 remaining, all but sealing the victory with a 30-7 lead.

Fairfield finally found the end zone again with just one second remaining in the game as Weaton hit Landon Nodurft, but it was too late.

The Trojans will look to get back on the winning track Friday with a trip to Benton Community (3-1).