Fairbanks quarterback Ethan Kise (11) throws the ball against Mechanicsburg. The Panthers will host West Jefferson for Homecoming tonight. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
The Fairbanks High School football team faces another tough opponent for Homecoming tonight.
Coming off a wide-spread loss at Mechanicsburg, the 4-1 Panthers must now do battle with the West Jefferson Rough Riders, who are also 4-1.
West Jeff’s lone loss to date was a 37-29 setback at the hands of Mechanicsburg on Sept. 4.
The Riders will employ a spread offense, with more of a two-back look.
The unit is led by quarterback Tyler Buescher.
“The offense runs through him,” said Fairbanks head coach Patrick Cotter.
Hayden Salyer lines up as a back in the pistol formation, while Tyler Oberle and MJ Book are solid receivers.
West Jefferson’s offense is designed to keep opponents off-balance.
Buescher has thrown the pigskin for 1,628 yards in five games.
Oberle and Book have combined for more than 1,000 of those receiving yards.
Fairbanks, however, can’t afford to go to sleep against the Riders’ ground game.
Salyer has rushed for nearly 400 yards in five contests.
“West Jefferson could pass the ball 50 times a game or run it 50 times,” said Cotter. “It will all depend on how they’re feeling on any given night.”
“They do what they do and there are no smoke or mirrors,” he said. “They look to be about 50/50 between the pass and run on film.
“Buescher can really sling the rock,” Cotter added.
The Riders, who are averaging 435 yards per game in total offense, will move the sticks.
Cotter said his squad will have to “get downill and make tackles.”
West Jefferson will play 4-2-5 and 4-3-4 defensive alignments, with cover 3 and 4 and man-to-man coverages in the secondary.
“They slant and angle quite a bit,” said Cotter. “Their front does a good job of disrupting your offense.
“They attack well and can smack you around,” he said. “We will have to challenge their multiple fronts.”
While the Panthers were disappointed with their setback against state-ranked (No. 3 in the AP Division VI poll) Mechanicsburg a week ago, Cotter feels they will come back strong.
“These guys will bounce back,” he said. “We’ve had some great games in the past against West Jefferson.”
Friday’s contest will not only be Homecoming, but also the final game of the COVID-19 shortened regular season.
Cotter was asked whether knowing it’s the final regular season contest has had any impact on his squad.
“Not really,” he said. “We’re just approaching this as another game.
“We just have to go out and be great teammates and do our jobs,” said Cotter. “We have to be the best version of ourselves.”