Members of Fairbanks High School’s football team are from left, front row, Tyler Carmean, Hunter Lynch, Ashton Griffith, Billy Reed Bodey, Austin Key, Bryant Fannin, Braylon Green and Dominic Coy; second row, Joe Kinsley, Zach Schmidt, Riordin Stauffer, Grant Rausch, Tanner Ufferman, Brice Phelps, Connor McCardle, Mazen Green and Jacob Stewart; third row, Dewey Ballarrd, Bradley Newland, Brogan Green, Jack Bouic, Christian Miller, Tatem Shoemaker, Evan Blumenschein and Cade Ziegler; fourth row, Austin Coy, Jackson Stage, Peyton Hubbs, CJ Swartz, Les Brandel, Bryson Tillman, Wyatt Scheiderer, Drew LaFon and Nick Rhea; back row, Logan Duncan, Mason Eagon, assistant coaches Brad Key, Zach Brown, Jerrod Maine, Keenan Chapman and David Gebhart, Noah Fonner and Ethan Hoffman; top, assistant coach Hunter Burnett and head coach Patrick Cotter. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Fairbanks High School football coach Patrick Cotter has seen a lot of familiar faces hanging around camp this summer.
The Panthers return a good number of solid veterans from 2019’s squad that posted a 6-4 record.
Fairbanks also tied with Mechanicsburg for second place in the Ohio Heritage Conference North Division with matching 3-2 records.
West Jefferson won the divisional crown.
Key Panther lettermen include two-way lineman Billy Reed-Bodey, Ashton Griffith (tight end-defensive end), Braylon Green (linebacker-tight end), Austin Key (defensive back-wide receiver), Riordin Stauffer (linebacker-running back), Tanner Ufferman (linebacker-tight end), Zach Schmidt (offensive and defensive line), Joe Kinsley (offensive and defensive line), Brice Phelps (defensive back-slotback), Brogan Green (running back-defensive back), place kicker Cade Ziegler and quarterback-defensive back Ethan Kise.
Newcomers who should help on Friday nights include Connor McCardle (offensive line-linebacker), Dewey Ballard (offensive and defensive line), CJ Schwartz (slotback-defensive back) and Grant Rausch (slotback and defensive back).
“We’ve got a lot of lettermen who have quite a bit of playing experience,” said Cotter. “There’s not a spot on the field in which we don’t have experienced players.
“We are, however, still a relatively young team,” he said. “That bodes well for our future.”
The Panthers will run their spread offense and try to work in both passing and running attacks.
They will continue with their 4-3 defensive alignment.
Cotter was asked if he had any concerns about his squad heading into the season.
“You mean other than the coronavirus?” he asked.
“No, we’re in pretty good shape,” said the coach. “My thought is ‘let’s just go play ball.’”
Cotter said the Panthers should contend for the OHC North championship, along with West Jefferson, Mechanicsburg and West Liberty-Salem.
West Jefferson, Mechanicsburg and West Liberty were all regional finalists during the 2019 playoffs.
The Panthers finished ninth in their Division VI region and just missed the state post-season.
This year, every team in Ohio will be eligible for the playoffs after the shortened regular season.
Cotter added thoughts on a couple other North Division foes.
“Triad has a new head coach,” he said, “and you never know what’s going to come out of North Lewisburg.
“Northeastern also has good athletes.”
Cotter is very optimistic heading into the team’s six-game slate.
“I feel we can beat anyone on our schedule,” he said.
“I would put the North Division of the Ohio Heritage Conference up against any other small school division in the state of Ohio,” said Cotter. “I also think we can win the division because we’ve got the kids who can do it.
“I think we match up well with everyone on our schedule,” he said.
“We’re ready to roll and roll,” said Cotter.