Trojans snap 11-game losing streak

FAIRFIELD - The Fairfield football team couldn't find the win column in 2019, but the Trojans are celebrating a Week 1 win to kick off 2020.

Fairfield stifled Knoxville 15-7 on Friday night, shutting the Panthers out for the last three quarters of the game to send the fans home happy.

The Trojans never trailed. Fairfield opened the game up with seven points, scoring on their first drive of the first game of the season on a rushing touchdown by Landen Schafer.

'Scoring on your opening drive is a tone setter for the game,” said head coach Nate Weaton. 'It gives kids confidence right ouf to he gate, and we were able to do that.”

Knoxville tied the game up at 7-7 with a score of their own in the first quarter, but the Trojans took the lead for good in the second period. Isaac Harris threw a touchdown pass to fellow sophomore Max Weaton, and the Trojans punched it in for two points.

Not a single point was scored in the entire second half, allowing the Trojans to hold on and move to 1-0.

'This was a total team win tonight,” said Coach Weaton. 'These guys came together, they all did their job, and the won this football game together.”

Schafer led the offense, running for 86 yards and a touchdown. Payton Cline picked up 27 yards on the ground as well.

Harris went 5-for-12 for 66 yards and a touchdown in his first game as starting quarterback. Weaton went for two catches, 30 yards and a touchdown through the air. Tate Allen coled the receiving core with 30 yards receiving of his own.

Brody Angstead had a big night for the Trojan defense, leading the team with 10.5 tackles. Logan Adam and Blake Metz tallied six tackles apiece.

Fairfield had one take-away on the night. Tate Richardson picked off a pass from Knoxville quarterback Noah Keefer. Each team had one turnover on the night.

This was the Trojans' first win since Oct. 5, 2018, when Fairfield beat Keokuk 19-6.

Fairfield is now 1-0 with hopes of their second-straight win this Friday when they hit the road to face West Burlington-Notre Dame.