Fairfield is hosting a first-round football playoff game on Friday.

        Why?

Because of some Friday-night heroics last Friday at Oak Hills, where the Indians defeated the Highlanders, 17-0, on the strength of excellent defensive play (including a 46-yard Pick 6 interception) and some brilliant moments on the offensive end.

Leading the defense to help clinch the home-field advantage was Gabe Ross, who had 11 tackles and a tackle for loss, and Kobe Lewis, who had five tackles, a sack and two TFLs. Jake Schwartz had the Pick 6, plus Eric Ruther also had an interception that helped seal the game.
       
On the offensive end, AJ Brown ran 24 times for 109 yards (a 4.5-yard average) and a 4th-quarter TD. Kayvon Burns also had an incredible 43-yard catch-and-run reception that set up a Hunter Gagen field goal with only seconds to go in the first half.

The away victory was also large for Coach Justin Roden, who left Oak Hills this summer to come to Fairfield.

No. 8-seed Fairfield, 5-5, next hosts No. 9 Mason, also 5-5, in the playoffs at 7 p.m., Friday, at Alumni Stadium. It will be a familiar sight, as the Indians defeated the Comets, 14-13, in another home match just a few weeks ago on Oct. 3. That night, Corrious Booker and Mason Wheeler rushed for TDs as the Tribe clinched the game in overtime. The Comets' PAT run was stopped by the Indians' defense to end the game.

Tickets for Fairfield's Division 1, Region 4 playoff game are available for purchase at www.ohsaa.org/tickets or at the gate (with cash or credit card). No passes or staff ID will be accepted, including GMC passes, per OHSAA regulations. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students, K-12. Children under 5 are free.
Since Friday is Halloween, fans are encouraged to wear costumes. However, no masks or full-face coverings are allowed in the stadium. Trunk-Or-Treat Halloween candy will be available in the tailgate lot, sponsored by the Touchdown Club.

If Fairfield is victorious Friday evening, they will advance to play undefeated #1-seed Elder at The Pit on Nov. 7.

For more photos of the victory over Oak Hills, go to bit.ly/FFFootOakHills25.