Fairbanks’ Riordin Stauffer (24) angles his way towards the sideline, breaking a few arm tackles for a decent gain. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
Another road loss has left a claw of Fairbanks Panthers chomping at the bit for their next opponent after falling to Northeastern 14-0.
“The game plan coming in here was to run the ball and go at them,” Fairbanks head coach Patrick Cotter said. “We let up two big plays and that comes down to me in helping our kids get better.”
Rain began to fall almost immediately at the start of the Ohio Heritage Conference matchup, making field conditions perfect for muddy game.
Going into Friday’s contest, Northeastern quarterback Cayden Houseman was someone for which the Panthers had to prepare.
Houseman stood in the top five of the OHC when it comes to passing yards (second with 1,591) rushing yards (four with 1,047) and defensive tackles (third with 93).
The Jets claimed the lead with seven points in the first quarter.
As the rain made conditions difficult, the Panthers’ offense struggled to stay on the field.
However, they also challenged Northeastern with solid defensive play.
The Panthers gave up another touchdown with 3:57 left in the first half.
Northeastern’s first possession of the second half featured a long pass disguised as a quarterback sweep. That moved the ball from midfield down to Fairbanks’ five-yard line.
With a first and goal situation, the Panthers stuffed Houseman, who attempted a quarterback sneak to the one-yard line.
FHS denied another Jets score after another QB run was stuffed at the one.
“Our boys never give up,” Cotter said. “The defense stopping them on fourth down was fantastic. Defensively, we played an absolute phenomenal game.”
Despite newly-found energy, the Panthers’ offense was stuck between a rock and a hard place, clawing out from deep in their own territory.
Fairbanks got roughly seven yards on the drive and had to punt.
After later forcing another Jet punt, the Panthers were once again backed into their own territory.
Churning to the 11-yard line, Panther QB AJ Landon then connected on a 47-yard toss for the struggling offense.
FHS could not score and the Jets took their 14-0 lead into the final period.
The fourth quarter was a slug-fest for both defensive units.
The Panthers had the ball with roughly two minutes remaining in the game.
However, they lost a fumble.
Northeastern then ran out the clock in the victory formation.
When it was all said and done, the Panthers were able to produce 119 yards on the ground on 34 attempts. Riordin Stauffer led with 59 yards.
“This loss is on me, not them (the team) because they worked their absolute tails off,” Cotter said. “We moved the ball… we’ve just got to finish drives.”
After Friday’s game, the Panthers were unofficially ranked 10th in Region 24 in Division VI of the state playoff picture.
After the game, Cotter emphasized how the team will learn from this loss and whoever comes to play, the Panthers will be ready.
That someone could be Paint Valley (in Bainbridge) next Saturday.
The Bearcats were unofficially No. 7 in the region as of early this morning.
“Our kids deserve better and they will get better… that is the resiliency Fairbanks kids have,” said Cotter.