Fairbanks High School head football coach Patrick Cotter knew what was behind the story of the Panthers’ 47-30 loss on Friday at Indian Lake.
“It was big plays on both sides of the ball,” said Cotter as FHS slipped to 0-2 on the season. “We made some big plays and they did as well.
“We’ve just got to shore up our tackling before next week’s game (home against Cedarville).”
The Lakers got out to a quick start by taking a 13-0 lead in the opening period.
Indian Lake’s first touchdown came on a nine-yard run by Elijah Slagle. The extra point failed.
The team from Logan County added to its lead on a 37-yard scoring jaunt by quarterback Clay Jacobs. Derek Cline’s PAT gave Indian Lake a 13-0 margin.
The Panthers did not score until there were 13 seconds left in the initial quarter.
Braylon Green intercepted a Jacobs pass and returned the ball into the end zone.
The extra point failed as FHS trailed 13-6.
“We’ve got to get off to a faster start,” said Cotter.
Panther quarterback Braxton Wilhelm threw a pair of TD passes to Green during the ensuing quarter.
The Lakers, though, got a trio of touchdowns on Jacobs’ running plays that covered 92, 13 and 14 yards.
Cade Ziegler booted a 28-yard field goal for Fairbanks, but FHS trailed 34-23 at halftime.
The Panthers earned only one more touchdown for the night when Wilhelm connected with Mason Cushman on a 34-yard strike during the third quarter.
Indian Lake’s third-quarter scores came on a 27-yard pass from Jacobs to Luke Jackson and an 84-yard kickoff return by Dolan Miller.
Fairbanks’ defense surrendered 365 rushing yards, 237 of which came from Jacobs.
FHS tallied most of its 433 total yards via the aerial game as Wilhelm threw for 265.