Members of Fairbanks High School’s varsity football team are from left, front row, Cade Ziegler, Riordin Stauffer, Jacob Stewart, Connor McCardle, Joe Kinsley, Grant Rausch, Tanner Ufferman, Brice Phelps and Zach Schmidt; second row, Les Brandle, Drew LaFon, Ethan Kise, Brogan Green, Evan Blumenschein, Christian Miller, Bryson Tillman and AJ Landon; third row, Raffi Stauffer, Cohen Riley, Nick Rhea, Mason Eagon, Jackson Stage, Ethan Hoffman, Jameson Rausch, Coby Dellinger and Jack Sanford; fourth row, Noah Rhea, Vinny Luke, Nick Newland, Carter Miller, Holtz Maine, Ryker Green, Benny Powell, Nate Russell and Dominic Woolum; fifth row, Nate Fisher, Max Sanford, Blake Robinson, Tyler Coy and Rilan Gabel; sixth row, coaches Stephen DeRoads, Brad Key, Jack Iannarino, Keenan Chapman, head coach Patrick Cotter, Hunter Burnett, Jarod Maine and Dave Gebhart. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The Fairbanks Panthers will unveil a new offensive look for the 2021 season.
The Panthers have been a spread-type of team for a number of years under head coach Patrick Cotter.
This season, however, FHS is going to the Wing T.
“We’ve got a lot of good running backs and the Wing T will put our guys in the best positions to be successful,” said Cotter.
The Panthers’ group of running backs includes Brogan Green (616 yards rushing in seven games last year) and Riordin Stauffer (242).
Other backs include lettermen Ethan Kise, Grant Rausch and Brice Phelps.
A.J. Landon will take over as the new quarterback.
“A.J. is a good runner as well,” said Cotter.
By adding more of a running game to the offensive package, Cotter hopes to keep opposing teams off-balance.
“We want to be as multiple and successful as we can be,” he said.
Additional lettermen include Tanner Ufferman (tight end-linebacker), Joe Kinsley (offensive and defensive lines) Zach Schmidt (offensive and defensive lines), Connor McCardle (tight end and linebacker) and place-kicker Cade Ziegler.
Several key newcomers will also see a good deal of playing time on Friday nights.
They include Bryson Tillman (offensive and defensive lines), Cohen Riley (tight end-linebacker), Mason Egan (running back-defensive end), Drew LaFon (offensive and defensive lines), Jackson Stage (running back-defensive back) and Jacob Stewart (wide receiver-defensive back).
There will be no such changes to the Panthers’ defensive scheme.
Their 4-3 alignment puts the team’s best athletes out on the edge, but also keeps the solid big boys in the middle.
“We’ll still have some good players up front,” said Cotter. “We’ll match other teams beef for beef.”
The Panther coach feels he has a team that can match opponents in athleticism.
“We’re very athletic even among our offensive and defensive linemen,” he said. “We’ve also got guys who can play a lot of different positions.
“We can move our playmakers around on the field and use them to the best of their abilities,” said Cotter. “I think we’ll be able to keep opposing teams on their heels.”
The FHS boss doesn’t have too many concerns about his team heading into Friday night’s season opener.
The Panthers will host Cardington with the kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
“Our seniors and some of our underclassmen have become good leaders for the younger guys,” he said. “This team has jelled well.
“We have great kids at Fairbanks and they bring a solid blue-collar work ethic to football.”
The Panthers placed third in the Ohio Heritage Conference with a 3-2 mark last year. They were 4-3 overall during the shortened season.
That was a game behind runner-up West Jefferson (4-1) and two behind North Division champion Mechanicsburg (5-0).
Cotter feels the conference is going to once again present a tough challenge.
“It’s going to be a meat-grinder as usual,” said Cotter. “West Liberty, West Jefferson and Mechanicsburg are always going to be tough.”
Triad and Northwestern should also be competitive, he said.
“I think the OHC is a fantastic conference,” said Cotter. “Over the past few years, anywhere from two-to-four teams in our conference have earned state playoff berths.
“If you can win the OHC North Division, you’ve got a great shot at the post-season,” he said. “Our goal is to win the division and move on to the playoffs.”
Fairbanks’ returning football lettermen are from left, front row, Cade Ziegler, Riordin Stauffer, Jacob Stewart, Connor McCardle, Joe Kinsley, Grant Rausch, Tanner Ufferman, Brice Phelps and Zach Schmidt; second row, Les Brandle, Drew LeFon, Ethan Kise, Brogan Green, Evan Blumenschein, Bryson Tillman and AJ Landon. back row, Cohen Riley, Nick Rhea, Mason Eagon, Jackson Stage and Jameson Rausch. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Football seniors for Fairbanks High School are from left, front row, Jacob Stewart, Connor McCardle, Joe Kinsley, Grant Rausch and Tanner Ufferman; back row, Cade Ziegler, Riordin Stauffer, Zach Schmidt and Brice Phelps. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Fairbanks High School’s football coaching staff is pictured from left, front row, Stephen DeRoades, head coach Patrick Cotter, Jack Iannarino and Dave Gebhart; back row, Brad Key, Keenan Chapman, Jared Maine and Hunter Burnett. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Fairbanks varsity football cheerleaders are from left, front row, Kara Boerger, Emma Agner and Cheyenne Tompkins; second row, Alizza Schirg, Camdyn Burns, Emma Bowman and Ashlynne Isaacs; back row, Addison Shaffer, Elizabeth Tillman, Brooklyn Bosworth, Emma Kelly and Kristin Dellinger. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Junior varsity cheerleaders for Fairbanks are from left, front row, Joy Litzke and Sophie Litzke; second row, Pamela Bosworth, Regan Jones, Addy Yochum and Faith Hall; back row, McKenna Lentz, Jillian Stewart, Marilyn Stidham, Kadence Kise and Lucy Matteson. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)