In a showcase matchup between undefeated Fort Collins and Fairview, defense would rule the evening as Fairview travelled to Fort Collins and brought home the big win 24-13.
Fairview, a team with its full cadre of playmakers with the return of Kenny Bell, locked down on Fort Collins, making each score and yard tough to come by. When talking about the Fairview offense Tucker Tharp and Kenny Bell usually head the conversation but on Thursday night at French Field in Fort Collins it was Fairview quarterback Ben Schumacher who did most of the damage. Consistently hurting the Lambkin D with quarterback counter, Schumacher rushed for over 140 yards including a 60 yard scamper for a score on Fairview’s first offensive possession of the game. According to Fort Collins Head Coach Eric Rice, Schumacher is “underrated, hats off to him.”
Bell, in his first game back from a broken collarbone, did return an interception to the house for a score. Maybe more important was Bell’s work in a cover three look along with Tharp and Schumacher to keep Fort Collins receiver Ben Marum, a player who averages well over 20 yards a catch, in front of them.
At 17-13 in the fourth, Fort Collins established its run game with hard running Sam Seeton moving the ball inside the Fairview 30, but on 4th and short the Lambkins failed to convert against a Fairview D motivated by the memory of the 70 points they surrendered last year to the Lambkins.
Schumacher cemented the win driving the Knights into Fort Collins territory and eventually hitting receiver Caleb Greer from 22 yards out to make the final 24-13.
Bottomline:
Now unbeaten and healthy, Fairview, if they take care of business against in town rival Boulder, can not only take home the Front Range crown, but also secure a top four seed in the upcoming playoffs. there will be no rest for Fort Collins as they wrap things up against their ever improving rival Rocky Mountain.