WINNSBORO- After a decisive, 52-0 win over CA Johnson on Friday, Fairfield Central (2-1) will hit the road on Sept. 13 to face 1A power Lewisville in an early season clash in Richburg on Sept. 13.
Following a tough battle against strong 5A opponent Ridge View and blowout victories over the Hornets and Union County, where they won by a combined score of 104-6, the Griffins will travel to the Upstate for the big game against the Lions with momentum on their side.
“I thought our kids came out and knew the plays they needed to make. We knew that we would have some plays we were going to make, but it’s a whole different animal when it comes time to execute. They came out, and they executed,” said head coach Demetrius Davis.
In their latest triumph, Fairfield sealed the deal shortly after kickoff. The defensive backs were the stars of the show that allowed Fairfield to put the game away early, coming up with crucial plays on the first two drives.
It all started on the Hornets’ first offensive snap of the game, when linebacker CJ Turner returned an interception for a touchdown. The senior immediately set the tone on the opening possession. “I don’t know if there is a better way to start the game than that. Momentum actually went in our favor after that play,” Davis said.
It wasn’t long before the Griffins’ party in the secondary continued. With 8:23 remaining in quarter, junior Dre Walker came up with another pick on a deep pass at the 41-yard line on a crucial third down play.
He returned it all the way to the Hornets’ 18-yard line, which set up a four-play drive that lasted one minute and 19 seconds. Junior quarterback Kaden Diggs got the Griffins started with a 12-yard gain on an off-tackle run on a direct snap.
The athletic, agile player followed a big hole created via the offensive line and star senior running back TyDarion Grier. That would set up Grier for a six-yard touchdown carry up the middle. After an extra point from senior kicker Eric Martinez that sailed through the uprights, the Griffins would extend their lead to 14-0 with 6:48 remaining in the first quarter.
On their next drive, C.A. Johnson, who did show promise with their rushing attack throughout the night, stalled out once again. Fairfield would retain possession with 4:13 remaining in the quarter at their own 42-yard line.
Grier immediately took action on Fairfield’s second drive, fielding a short screen pass at the Griffins’ own 25-yard line and taking it all the way to the Hornets’ 41-yard line. It allowed them to set up shop in CA Johnson territory with time still remaining in the opening period with a chance to put the game far out of reach in short minutes.
With just over three minutes remaining in the quarter, junior wide receiver Jalen Squirewell made an exciting, over-the-shoulder catch on a deep pass to find the end zone, bolstering Fairfield’s lead to 21-0.
The Griffins led by 28-0 after the first period, and in the second quarter, they continued to put pressure on the Hornets with a big offensive drive and another score on defense. Grier cashed in on a draw play, rumbling up the middle with just under seven minutes in the quarter. Then, sophomore defensive back Douglas McCloud scored Fairfield’s third defensive touchdown on a scoop and score fumble to extend their lead to 42-0 at halftime.
Junior wide receiver and defensive back Jayden Boyd recorded a big gain on a jet sweep rushing play, sophomore wide receiver TyQuarious Shannon made a big catch on a long pass, and sophomore running back Kenyan Douglas had a big day, registering 98 yards and one touchdown on four carries.
The potential future star in the making wowed fans with a long run reminiscent of his track star speed to put the Griffins up 52-0 with 6:39 remaining, and he and Grier combined for 208 yards.
But the defense shined brightest for Fairfield, their head coach said. “Anytime you can stop a team from scoring, that is pretty good. They got a shutout, so hats off to those guys for really getting after it for four quarters,” he said.
The loss dropped the Hornets to 0-3, but the 1A program from Columbia has qualified for three straight playoff appearances under head coach Scotty Dean, who served as an assistant at Fairfield for 13 years, which included a seven-year stint under Davis.
“They are well-coached. (Dean) is doing a great job, and I hope CA Johnson appreciates him for what he is doing over there,” Davis said.
