Fairbanks’ Tanner Ufferman (19) tackles a Springfield Catholic Central ball carrier. The Panthers will host West Liberty-Salem on Friday for the 500th game of the program’s history. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Fairbanks’ varsity football team is currently in the midst of a four-game winning streak.
The Panthers (4-2) will face their biggest challenge to date when they host state-ranked West Liberty-Salem (6-0) on Friday.
The Tigers, who are tenth in this week’s Associated Press Division V poll, will throw several different offensive looks at FHS.
“We will see everything from the spread to a tight end and two running backs,” said Fairbanks coach Patrick Cotter. “They’re about even when it comes to running and passing the ball.”
West Liberty’s offense is led by quarterback Trevor Woodruff, who is a three-year starter.
He’s a very accurate passer (73.3 percent completion rate) and has thrown 15 TDs to just one interception.
“Woodruff doesn’t do anything spectacular, but he commands their offense very well,” said Cotter. “He is a very steady player.”
Woodruff has spread the wealth among a handful of receivers.
Trenton Douthwaite leads the team with 11 receptions for 147 yards.
Zach Rosedale has accumulated the same number of yards with one less reception.
Nick Burden has gathered in 10 catches for 165 yards.
The Tigers have also displayed a solid running game.
Holden Nease and Trent Berry have each carried the ball 46 times this fall.
Nease has picked up 552 yards for an impressive 12.0 average. Berry adds to West Liberty’s big play potential as he’s running the ball for slightly more than eight yards per carry.
They have combined for 16 of the Tigers’ 25 rushing touchdowns.
“West Liberty doesn’t do anything fancy on offense,” said Cotter. “They just operate behind a solid, senior-heavy line that pulls well.
“Our defense will have to play well while going downhill,” said the Panther coach. “We have to make sure we’re in the right positions and go after their playmakers.”
West Liberty will employ either a 4-3 or 4-2 defensive alignment, depending, according to Cotter, on what sets the Panthers give them.
Isaiah McGill is a hard-nosed linebacker, Woodruff is solid in the secondary and Kyle Wolfe and Isaac Lee are solid two-way linemen.
“West Liberty’s defense runs to the ball well,” said Cotter. “Their defensive backs cover well, but they can give up the big ball here and there.”
The Panthers have to use the entire length and width of Kyre Field.
“Our offense must force West Liberty to cover the entire field,” he said. “We’ve got to get our playmakers in space and let them ‘shimmy and shake.’”
Cotter said the Panthers must stay on offensive schedule and continue to move the chains.
“We have to win the line of scrimmage and play mistake-free football,” he said. “We have to limit our penalties and make this a four-quarter game.
“We just have to realize that this is going to be a game between a couple of ‘blue-collar’ type of teams,” said the Panther coach. “Both teams will try to smash each other and then try to throw over the top.”
Friday’s game will be special for another reason.
It will mark the 500th game in the 50 years of the program’s existence.
“The guys know it’s a special evening,” said Cotter. “They’re aware of it, but also know that it’s something more for the alumni guys who will be coming back to be recognized.
The FHS program began back in the early 1970s under the late Frank Spurlock.
Members of Spurlock’s family will be honored, including grandsons Dustin, Gaston Green, Ryan, Tucker, Braylon, Brogan and Mazen Green and his son, Bruce.
All either played or are playing football for the Panthers.