Falcons use ground attack to down Dragons

PROCTORVILLE — Fairland coach Mike Jackson saw a lot happen in Friday’s game. But there was one thing that stood out.

After Fairfield Union ran 53 times for 346 yards, Jackson was quick to point out one key aspect that will get his utmost attention.

“We’re going to be tackling a lot in practice this week, I know that,” said Jackson after the Dragons fell to the Fairfield Union Falcons 39-6 in a non-league game.

“We had a few kids out sick and banged up, but I’m not making excuses. We have to do a better job of preparing them in practice,” said Jackson.

The Falcons’ Lane Burkhardt was a workhorse as he ran 24 times for 243 yards and scored 3 touchdowns. Quarterback Dean Clark ran 12 times for 90 yards and he was 3-of-6 passing for 105 yards and 2 more scores.

“We executed up front better than last week and it showed with our ability to run the ball,” said Falcons’ coach Andy Clark. “Lane ran hard and ran with good vision. (Both backs) have a knack for understanding when to cut and when to accelerate.”

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After a scoreless first quarter, Fairfield noon (1-2) took control.

Following a short punt, Burkhardt ripped off a 42-yard run and 4 plays later Burkhardt scored on a 2-yard run for a 6-0 lead with 9:16 on the clock.

Fairland was forced to punt but a high snap forced punter Kinyon Smith to run and he was brought down shy of the first down.

Taking over at the Dragons 31, Clark ran 22 yards to set up another 2-yard run by Burkhardt and it was 12-0 at the 4:31 mark.

The next Fairfield Union drive was quick.

Getting the ball at their own 30-yard line after a punt, the Falcons were called for holding and the ball was moved back to the 20. On the next play, Burkhardt broke free and outran the defense into the end zone for an 80-yard scoring jaunt. Colin Pike kicked the conversion and it was 19-0 with 2:53 left in the half.

Fairland (1-2) answered with a 52-yard scoring drive on 6 plays. Quarterback Owen Burcham completed a couple of passes and ran 10 and 24 yards to get to the 18.

Burcham then threw a short pass to Davin Murray who ran through the defense to score with 1:21 left in the half.

The conversion kick was blocked and it was 19-6 at the half.

Boston McKoyes returned the second half kickoff 54 yards to the Fairland 28 and 5 plays later Clark hit Grant McPherson with a 17-yard catch and run to make it 25-0 with 9:32 on the clock.

The Falcons forced a punt and put together another quick drive despite a holding penalty. Clark ran for 27 yards and then hit McKoyes with a short pass that he turned into a 55-yard scoring play with 5:43 left in the quarter and it was 32-6.

The Falcons final score came on a 57-yard, 13-play drive that started in the third quarter and spilled over into the fourth quarter. Clark ran the final 2 yards and Pike’s kick set the final score with 8:56 left.

Fairland finished with 170 total yards with 113 coming on the ground. Murray ran 6 times for 47 yards and Burcham 6 times for 42. Burcham was 12-of-23 passing for 57 yards and a score.

Despite the loss, Jackson still has confidence in his young team.

“I see a lot of potential in them,” said Jackson.

Next Friday, Fairland will host Rock Hill in an Ohio Valley Conference game. Fairfield Union will visit Hamilton Township.

Fairfield Union 0 19 13 7 = 39

Fairland 0 6 0 0 = 6

Second Quarter

FU — Lane Burkhardt 2 run (kick failed) 9:16

FU — Lane Burkhardt 2 run (run failed) 4:31

FU — Lane Burkhardt 80 run (Colin Pike kick) 253

Fa — Davin Murray 18 pass from Owen Burcham (kick blocked) 1:21

Third Quarter

FU — Grant McPherson 17 pass from Dean Clark (kick failed) 9:32

FU — Boston McKoyes 55 pass from Dean Clark (Colin Pike kick) 5:43

Fourth Quarter

FU — Dean Clark 2 run (Colin Pike kick) 8:56

———

FU Fa

First downs 15 9

Rushes-yards 53-346 17-113

Passing yards 105 57

Total yards 451 170

Cmp-Att-Int 3-6-1 12-23-0

Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1

Penalties-yards 10-100 8-90

Punts-average 1-5.0 5-34.0

———

Individual Leaders

RUSHING–Fairfield Union: Lane Burkhardt 24-243 3-TD, Dean Clark 12-90 TD, Brady Andrews 4-9, Colton Borah 1-7, Team 2-minus 3; Fairland: Xander Collins 3-18, Owen Burcham 6-42, Davin Murray 6-47, Kinyon Smith 1-8, Conner Kazee 1-1, Braden Thompson 1-minus 3.

PASSING–Fairfield Union: Dean Clark 3-6-1 105 2-TD; Fairland: Owen Burcham 12-23-0 57 TD.

RECEIVING–Fairfield Union: Kohen Arnett 1-33, Boston McKoyes 1-55 TD, Grant McPherson 1-17 TD; Fairland: Xander Collins 1-2, Kylan Blake 3-13, Davin Murray 3-22 TD, Ford Rickard 4-21, Christian Bompus 1-minus 1.

MISSED FIELD GOALS–None.