Friday’s game
What: Fairfield (1-0) at Northmont (0-1), 7 p.m.
Where: Matt Dudon Field at Good Samaritan Stadium, 4916 National Road, Clayton
Last meeting: Northmont won 31-24 in 2014
Fairfield High School’s football team has served notice that it should be taken seriously in 2015.
The Indians, voted sixth in the Greater Miami Conference coaches poll, knocked off Centerville 35-32 in a high-profile season opener last weekend.
“I think our players and coaches did a really good job preparing for that game,” Fairfield coach Jason Krause said. “I think they understood just how important it was for us to get off on the right foot against a quality opponent like Centerville. We played a pretty solid football game from top to bottom.”
David Keeling ran nine times for 119 yards and two touchdowns for the Indians, who rushed for 220 yards as a team and may have found the ground attack they’ve lacked in recent years.
“We played seven guys deep on the O-line, and every guy that came in did a great job,” Krause said. “What helped was our ability to keep the defense guessing on whether we were going to throw the ball to the perimeter or run inside the tackles. We had three backs that really did a good job. (Tellis) Kennedy didn’t play at all in the first half, but he came out after halftime and was a difference maker with his fresh legs against a tired defense.”
Another Greater Western Ohio Conference opponent looms in Week 2 for Fairfield, which travels to Northmont on Friday night.
“I don’t feel worried,” Krause said. “Sometimes you have letdowns coming off a big win, but I don’t think this group is going to do that. I think our heads are in the right place. I don’t see the road trip bothering us.”
Northmont lost to Hilliard Darby 21-7 last weekend, but did beat the Indians 31-24 last season in the programs’ first meeting.
“It’s kind of been difficult to get a good judge on them because the two films we’ve got are against a triple-option team and a Wing-T team,” Krause said. “I know they’ve got some guys with some big-play potential. They’re big up front, bigger than Centerville was physically.”
Thunderbolts coach Tony Broering likes his defense, led by senior outside linebacker Jimi Saul (6-0, 212). He combined with junior linebacker Chuck Saul (5-11, 216) and senior end James Abrams (6-4, 243) to rack up 35 tackles against Darby.
“Our defensive line is very good. They’re big, they’re strong, they’re fast,” Broering said. “They’re actually very similar to Fairfield’s defensive line. But our secondary is kind of learning as they go. They got very few reps last year, so we’re playing some guys that are trying to figure it out, and that’s tough against Fairfield.”
The Indians’ Hunter Krause threw for 215 yards and a touchdown against Centerville, and he needs 43 yards to become Fairfield’s all-time leading passer.
“He could probably get that just getting off the bus,” Broering said. “He’s got it. Sometimes it’s hard to say exactly what it is, but when you’re a coach and you’ve been coaching as long as I have, you see it. It pops off the screen at you.”
Northmont is a spread team that likes to run the ball. Senior quarterback Chris Timmons converted 5-of-9 throws for 27 yards last week, while sophomore Donavin Wallace (nine carries, 63 yards) and senior Avery Miliner (14 carries, 28 yards) paced the ground attack.
Miliner posted career highs in rushing attempts (34) and yards (175) in last year’s win over FHS.
“I thought our run defense played very well against Centerville,” said Jason Krause, with the Elks gaining 105 yards on 23 carries. “If you can stop the run night in and night out, I think you stand a pretty good chance to win the football game.”
Krause said defensive tackle Todd Ross (ankle) and slotback James Mitchell (hip) are battling injuries, but he’s hopeful they’ll be able to play against Northmont.
The Thunderbolts will get another taste of the GMC next Friday when they visit Lakota East.
“It’s going to be a tough battle for us to withstand the onslaught of Fairfield,” Broering said. “They’re just so big and fast. Our kids have been fantastic in their effort all week, but they know it’s a big challenge for us. I’ve known Jason for a long time, and he’s won wherever he’s been. I’ve always thought Fairfield was kind of a sleeping giant.”
About the Author