Fairfield

By Teddy Feinberg

GameTimePA.com

Last year was a breakout season for Fairfield football. At least when considering the team netted its first winning campaign in its 13-year existence and reached the PIAA playoffs.

But what can the Green Knights do for an encore?

Offense

Quarterback >> Mason Flickinger returns as a three-year starter. Last season he threw for 1,027 yards and tossed 10 touchdowns (compared to five interceptions). On the ground, Flickinger added 357 yards and five scores.

Head coach Darwin Seiler said Flickinger has an innate understanding of the offense and a willingness to throw the ball to any part of the field at any given time.

Running back >> Easily the biggest hole to fill will be in the backfield, where the graduated Nick Mort was a workhorse rusher a season ago (1,476 yards on 181 carries). Mike Quealy, who was second on the depth chart in 2013, will take over the starting reins this year.

Seiler said Fairfield ran the ball on 65 to 70 percent of its offensive snaps last year, although he would prefer to have a more balanced attack. He added Quealy has some shake and bake to his step and predicted the 5-foot-11, 160-pounder will be a factor in the passing game.

Receivers >> Seiler said junior tight end Antijuan Washington is ready to become a prime-time target. Seiler said Washington is a big player at the position (6-foot-3, 247 pounds), runs well and catches the ball effectively.

Offensive line >> The Green Knights have to replace a large portion of this unit. The team is hopeful Conor Scherle (center/tackle) can recover from a torn ACL suffered during basketball season, and also believes senior guard Ryan Hovis (313 pounds) is primed for a big year. They’re the lone returning starters.

Defense

Defensive line >> Many newcomers here as well. Seiler said entering training camp that Tom Shultz is furthest along in the group and should contribute at defensive end.

Linebackers >> Although the defensive front seven has no returning starters, the team could pack a punch at linebacker.

Washington and Brandon Selman both played last season and are slotted at MLB. On the outside, the team is hopeful former cornerback Brandon Hummel can make the transition.

Secondary >> Clearly the most experienced unit of the defense. Flickinger and Quealy start at safety, while Alex Irwin returns after starting a handful of games at cornerback in 2013. The team also welcomes Matt Petrie, who started last year at Waynesboro. Not to be outdone is Aaron Moore, a junior who’s expected to see time at cornerback and safety.

Special teams

Flickinger will contribute as a punter, while Hummel is the team’s primary placekicker. Quealy will play a role in the return game.

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Save the date >> Fairfield’s 2013 win against Delone Catholic was a benchmark victory in the Green Knights’ marked improvement. Can the 2014 rematch have a similar outcome? The two teams meet Oct. 17.

Bottom line >> Seiler said his club should match or surpass last season’s successful showing.

“Fair and realistic expectations in my mind are to reach where we were last year,” he said. “And with a break or two, we can have a better record, honestly.”