Panther running back Mason Cushman (2) picks up yardage in this file photo. Also pictured is Panther lineman Dakota Key (72). FHS will host Springfield Catholic Central on Friday for Homecoming. (Photo submitted)
The Fairbanks High School football team will host Springfield Catholic Central on Friday for the 2019 Homecoming game.
The pregame festivities won’t be the only thing on the minds of Panther Nation.
A victory over the 0-4 Irish would put the 2-2 Panthers above the .500 mark heading into the second half of the regular season.
SCC will bring a spread offense to Kyre Field – one that uses four and five receiver sets.
Despite having so many wideouts on the field, the Irish want to first establish their ground game.
“They’ve got a slotback (CamRon Roe) who is a shifty athlete,” said Panther head coach Patrick Cotter.
“Bryce Shipton plays both in the backfield and as a receiver, while their quarterback (Cole Ray) is a nice athlete.”
The Irish skill players operate behind an offensive line that isn’t overly huge, but one that Cotter calls “feisty.”
The biggest player on the 22-man roster is offensive-defensive lineman Colby Zeller (6-2, 225).
D’Ante Fultz is a two-way lineman who is 6-0, 215.
Most of the remaining players on the roster are in the 175-195 pound range.
“Their line will get after you,” said Cotter. “They’re young, but they’re steady”
The Irish, however, have struggled moving the ball.
Ray has completed only 22-of-59 passes for 251 yards. He’s thrown for one TD, but has been picked off nine times.
Mark Thrasher has the most net rushing yards for the Irish with 15 on 11 carries.
Springfield Catholic Central will show 5-2 and 4-4 defensive fronts.
“They will load things up and try to take away our running game,” said Cotter.
“They seem to be more comfortable in the 5-3 and will probably stay in that until we spread them out a little.”
Cotter said there is no secret plan for success against the Ohio Heritage Conference rival.
“We’re just going to stick to what we do best on both sides of the ball,” he said.
“As far as defense, we just need to be good, aggressive tacklers and on offense, we just need to continue to run the ball well,” he said. “We’ve had two leading rushers over the past three games, so there isn’t anyone that Springfield Catholic will be able to key on.
“We’ll mix some passes in here and there,” the coach said. “Braxton (quarterback Wilhelm) has done a good job of getting the ball to various receivers.”
Mason Cushman is the Panthers’ leading running back with 376 yards on 49 carries.
Brogran Green has picked up 287 on 27 carries, while Riordin Stauffer (185) and Wilhelm (150) have added to the ground game.
Wilhelm has completed 44-of-82 passes for 625 yards. His thrown five touchdown passes and suffered just one interception.
Braylon Green leads the team with 13 receptions for 158 yards.
Braeden Fairchild, Trey Good and Gatlin Luke have combined for 21 catches as additional offensive threats.
Cushman left last week’s victory over Greenon with an injury. Several other spots were also open due to some aches and pains.
Cotter, however, said, most of the Panthers will be ready for Friday’s game.
“Mason had a lower body injury, but he should be OK,” he said. “We’re about as healthy as you can be going into the fifth week of the season.”
The recipe for victory?
“We just have to play with great effort and execute our fundamentals,” said Cotter. “We have to play with our high Panther tempo.”