Fairbanks’ Mason Cushman (6) goes into the end zone for a touchdown against Southeastern on Friday. Cushman tallied three TDs during a 62-7 victory over the Trojans.
(Journal-Tribune photø by Tim Miller)
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Fairbanks High School head football coach Patrick Cotter had a goal in mind on Friday when his team hosted Southeastern.
“I wanted us to start fast and continue from there,” he said.
The Panthers (3-2) must have taken that plan to heart as they tallied 28 points during the opening period and went on to defeat the Trojans, 62-7.
“The defense set the tone for tonight,” said Cotter. “I think we were up 21-0 before Southeastern got a first down.”
It’s also doubtful that anyone had any more concerns about senior quarterback Jacob Nicol’s knee as he was making his third start of the season. His performance solidified that confidence.
Nicol scored FHS’ first two touchdowns on the ground and finished with three rushing scores for the night. He also threw a couple of TD passes.
Still, Cotter didn’t really want to single out any one player.
“This was a team victory,” he said. “From our seniors down to the freshmen, everybody did their job and contributed.”
Fairbanks (which will travel to West Jefferson on Friday) scored touchdowns on its first three possessions.
Nicol capped the game’s opening series with an eight-yard touchdown run.
Cade Ziegler, who was sharp on all but one extra point, booted the conversion that gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead.
The Trojans, who are guided by former Triad head coach Payton Printz, had trouble generating much in the way of offense against a very stingy Panther defense.
Their first three possessions ended in punts.
In the meantime, Fairbanks scored on its next two possessions.
Nicol tallied six points on a 24-yard run and Mason Cushman scored on a shorter jaunt of six yards.
Ziegler cashed in on both PATs and the Panthers held a 21-0 lead.
Southeastern had its only successful drive near the end of the opening period.
The Trojans regained the ball after a Panther punt with 2:13 on the timer.
On the second play of the series, running back Lane McCombs found a seam through the FHS defense.
He took the handoff at the Trojan 20 and was off to the races.
McCombs wasn’t stopped until he was hauled down from behind by the Panthers’ Josh Day at the Fairbanks 36.
Quarterback Wade Eriksen later connected with Charlie Bertemes on a pass that covered 34 yards down to the FHS one-yard-line.
From there, Eriksen pushed his way into the end zone for the score.
McCombs booted the extra point that pulled the visitors to within 21-7.
It didn’t take very long for Fairbanks to respond.
As a matter of fact, Nicol needed just one snap as he fired the ball to Tyler Beem on a pass that covered 61 yards for the score.
Ziegler’s extra point sent FHS into the second quarter with a 28-7 margin.
Fairbanks’ offensive onslaught continued during the ensuing quarter.
Cushman carried the ball into the end zone on a seven-yard run, Nicol tossed a 13-yard scoring strike to Wyatt Damron and Cushman put his third TD on the board with a one-yard burst.
Ziegler booted a pair of extra points as Fairbanks took a commanding 48-7 halftime lead.
The marathon first half ended after nearly 90 minutes of action.
Although the Panthers scored numerous times, they were also whistled for 100 yards worth of first-half penalties. They finished with 140 yards in infractions for the game.
With FHS’ advantage standing at more than 30 points, the running clock rule went into effect for the second half. It stayed that way for the final two stanzas.
Nicol, who later gave way to backup quarterback Braxton Wilhelm, scored on a 55-yard run during the third quarter.
Ziegler’s extra point sent the Panthers into the final period with a 55-7 lead.
The last touchdown of the night came on a five-yard run by Riordin Stauffer.
Ziegler made good on the PAT to end all of the scoring.
Fairbanks finished the game with a fairly balanced offense, rushing for 287 yards and passing for 193.
The Trojans were limited to 159 total yards, 106 of which came through the air.