Trojans triumphant over Falcons

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield has been clicking on all cylinders on the football field as of late.

On Friday night, against West Burlington-Notre Dame, it was no different as the Trojans berated the Falcons with big play on both sides of the ball for a 53-7 Class 3A District 5 homecoming win.

The Trojans wanted a fast start, which is something they didn’t get in their previous two wins over Knoxville 29-28 and Keokuk 16-15.

Fairfield (4-2, 2-0) got it Friday night quickly putting a damper of any hopes of a West Burlington-Notre Dame win.

On the Trojans opening drive and just the fourth play from scrimmage, Fairfield quarterback Tate Allen hit wide out Tallon Bates for a 75-yard touchdown.

“The thing for us offensively is we came out fast,” Fairfield head coach Nate Weaton said. “We came out explosive. That sets the tone for the game. I think we're capable of doing that. I think that's a big thing.”

The score was just the beginning of a big night for both Allen and Bates through the air.

Bates would catch two passes on the night for 164 yards and two touchdowns, which also included a 90 yard catch and score, and took a kickoff to the house from 84 yards out.

For Allen, his night would end with 246 yards through the air on just seven completions, five of which were touchdowns. He would add 143 more yards and a touchdown on the ground as well.

“They were loading the box because we were gaining ground in the run game,” Allen said. “We had man coverage against our fast receivers and I trust them to get to the spot and they did. I just took my shot.”

It was a quiet night for star tighten Max Weaton, as he finished with a pair of catches for 25 yards. With the Falcons defense keying on the division one recruit, fellow receivers Bates and Bode Hoskins did plenty of damage.

Hoskins hauled in three passes for 46 yards and two scores. He was a thorn in the side of the Falcons passing attack on the night as well, picking off the ball twice inside the redzone.

"Tallon Bates and Bode Hoskins really gave us great balance," Wheaton said. "We've been talking about that, too. Obviously Max is a great target for us. Max is a great player for us. Tate and Max have a great chemistry. It's hard not to see it. It's hard not to put a three over two or even a four over two when Max is split out or even with his hand on the ground. We've been talking to these guys that they have to step up. When they step up and play like that, it takes some pressure off of Max. Defenses have to honor that and now that opens up our passing game even more.“

It was a pretty efficient first half for Fairfield to say the least, scoring on every drive, all of which were passing touchdowns from Allen to a trio of Weaton, Hoskins and Bates.

Fairfield scored 20 in the first quarter alone and led 32-0 at the half.

Not only did the Trojans dominate on the offensive end, they also did just as well defensively allowing the Falcons inside the 10 just three times. Each trip inside the 10 ended with a turnover, once on downs and two interceptions.

The Trojans offensive attack was halted in the third as they were held scoreless, but the defense held strong.

In the fourth, Fairfield picked up where they left off, as Allen scored his sixth touchdown of the night on a 41 yard touchdown run to make it 39-0.

Miles McEntee also found the end zone on the next drive, as the Falcons were unable to recover the kickoff. The score made it a 46-0 ballgame.

West Burlington-Notre Dame was able to get on the board with a 43 yard touchdown run with 55 seconds left, but Tallon Bates took the kickoff back for a touchdown to put a stamp on it 53-7.

“This one feels fantastic,” Max Weaton said. “A huge testament to all the guys and the performance they put together for four quarters of football. We were all clicking and it’s so much fun to fly around with these guys. It’s so much fun and there is no better feeling.”

The win marks the third in the row for Fairfield. They will host a tough Solon (4-2) squad in their next matchup on Friday.