WINNSBORO – In true Fairfield-Chester tradition, the Cyclones and Griffins battled to the end. Despite a tight game, Fairfield came up short 32-34 in Winnsboro.
Tied at 14 at the end of the first quarter, Chester held a one-point edge at halftime. As the clock ticked towards halftime, Chester went up 21-14. With only four seconds remaining in the half, Fairfield Central’s Donovan Watkins returned the following kickoff for 6.
Trailing 21-20 to start the second half, Fairfield struck early in the third for a 26-21 lead. Chester scored late in the third and again in the fourth quarter to lead the Griffins 34-26. Backs against the wall, Fairfield scored again with six minutes remaining in the game, but fell short with a 34-32 final as both teams remained scoreless as time ticked away.
Freshman quarterback Cameron McMillon completed 16 of 28 attempts for 327 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
TyDarian Greer pulled in six receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. Watkins had three receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. Roger Burns had the other receiving touchdown. He had two receptions for 29 yards on the night. Jai Boyd caught four passes for 63 yards and Kensley Copeland had one 52-yard reception. Copeland also had 6 carries for 16 yards.
Watkins had 256 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns on the night. He returned two kickoffs for 179 yards and two more scores.
Amos Bell tallied 14 tackles on the night, 12 solo tackles and two tackles for loss. Jalian Yarborough had 11 solo tackles and an assist. Miles Roberson also had 11 solo tackles. JaShaun Manning tallied 10 solo tackles, an assisted tackle and a fumble recovery. Stephano Gadsden had 10 tackles on the night also. Gadsden and CJ Sampson were each credited with QB hurries.
The loss was Fairfield’s first of the season and drops them to 2-1. They are set to face Lancaster in their final non-region game of the season on Friday. Kickoff in Lancaster is set for 7:30 p.m.
Lancaster is also sits at 2-1 in the early season with wins over Chester (24-16) and Rock Hill (39-38). They dropped a Week 1 game to Irmo with a 20-27 final.
Fairfield will have three away contests in a row in September. After this week’s in Lancaster, the Griffins will travel to Keenan on Sept. 16. After a bye week on Sept. 23, Fairfield will travel to Prosperity to take on Mid-Carolina on Sept. 30. They will return to E.K. McLendon Stadium on Oct. 7 to host Gray Collegiate Academy, then travel to Columbia on Oct. 14.
Fairfield’s homecoming is set for Oct. 21 against Eau Claire. They’ll host their final regular season game on Oct. 28 against Newberry.
CHESTER – 14-7-7-6 – 34
FAIRFIELD – 14-6-6-6 – 32
