Roger Price
Section618.com

FAIRFIELD — Senior quarterback Eric Rodgers accounted for 231 total yards and five touchdowns as Fairfield overcame the loss of starting running back Jay Snyder to beat Eldorado 34-14.

Snyder went down in the first quarter with an apparent knee injury and did not return.

Following a scoreless first quarter, the Mules broke through on a 3-yard TD run by Rodgers. The 2-point conversion failed, so it was 6-0.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, Fairfield’s Payton Allen recovered an Eagles’ fumble. Rodgers went up top on the very next play to Luke Sork for a 31-yard touchdown pass. Sork ran in the 2-point conversion as the Mules took a 14-0 lead into halftime.

Rodgers threw two more touchdown passes in the third quarter–a 33-yarder to Trey Mason and a 29-yarder to Nick Easton for a 28-0 Mules’ lead after three quarters.

The Eagles got on the board just about midway through the fourth on Parker Price’s 5-yard touchdown run. Jake Phelps ran in the 2-point conversion to cut Fairfield’s lead to 28-8.

Rodgers answered with a 32-yard TD run, his fifth score of the night. He finished 8-17 for 181 yards passing and ran for an additional 50 yards.

The Eagles actually outgained the Mules on the ground (163-131) and held a slight edge in time of possession (24:09-23:51), but Fairfield’s passing attack was the difference.

Eldorado (0-1) will play its home opener next Friday against Johnston City. Fairfield (1-0) will travel to Sesser-Valier/Waltonville next Friday.