SLOAN
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A look at the stat sheet reveals just how lopsided Fairbanks’ 42-7 victory at Lancaster Fisher Catholic was on Friday night.
The Panthers (1-1) tallied slightly less than 600 yards of total offense and limited the Irish to 99.
“We played great defense and we spread the ball around tonight on offense,” said Panther coach Patrick Cotter.
Fisher Catholic had a great deal of trouble not only moving the ball, but maintaining possession of it.
The Panthers (who will travel to Greeneview on Friday) intercepted five passes and recovered two fumbles.
“Our front four (Cole Murdock, Robbie Grose, Billy Reed-Bodey and Dylan Stage) gave them problems and (linebacker) Charlie Scheiderer was all over the place,” said Cotter.
Fairbanks scored three touchdowns off those seven turnovers.
As usual, FHS’ passing game was on target.
Quarterback Jacob Nicol completed 24-of-36 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns.
He tossed a pair of long-bomb scoring strikes during the opening period.
Nicol connected with Tyler Beem on a 65-yard score and then found Beau Sloan for a 66-yard touchdown.
Megan Olson booted both extra points as the Panthers took a 14-0 lead into the second period.
The Nicol-to-Sloan connection went to work again during the second period. This time, Sloan snared a 36-yard pass from Nicol.
Olson’s third conversion sent Fairbanks into the halftime break with a 21-0 advantage.
The Panthers, though, did not rest on their laurels.
“We didn’t let up,” said Cotter. “We kept the pedal to the floor.”
The Panthers put the game away with a pair of scores during the third period.
Nicol once again sent Beem deep for a 54-yard touchdown pass.
Olson’s extra point padded the margin at 28-0.
Sloan tallied his third touchdown of the night, this time on a two-yard run.
Mason Cushman was sent in for the PAT that allowed FHS to climb to a 35-0 lead.
The Irish scored their lone touchdown in the fourth quarter when Nick Janita returned an interception into the end zone. Sam Frazier kicked the extra point.
Cushman finished FHS’ scoring with a 22-yard run. Olson booted the last extra point of the game.
One of the big factors in the contest was the number of players who contributed on the offensive side of the field.
“We had six different guys catch passes and eight carried the ball in the backfield,” said Cotter.