PREP FOOTBALL: Fairview’s comeback bid, season ends with 36-22 loss to Leeds
Published 3:46 am Saturday, November 16, 2024
Fairview's Jake Harper attempts to break free from the Leeds defense on Friday. (Nick Johnston)
Leeds' Conner Nelson breaks up a pass intended for Fairview's Blake Rickard. (Nick Johnston)
Fairview coach George Redding watches on from the sideline. (Nick Johnston)
FAIRVIEW — George Redding couldn’t have asked for much more from his team on Friday night.
The Class 5A No. 3 Aggies gave it all they had during their second-round matchup against No. 9 Leeds in an all-out effort to try and erase a 21-point deficit in the second half.
In the end, though, they couldn’t quite pull it off.
Quarterback Conner Nelson accounted for three total touchdowns as the road team knocked off Fairview 36-22 at Dafford Smith Stadium to advance to the quarterfinals.
The Aggies (10-1) got off to a strong start as Jake Harper cashed in a lengthy opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Purple and Gold ahead 7-0 in the first quarter.
But the Greenwave (10-2) soon took control behind the outstanding play of Nelson, who ran for two scores in the first half to help Leeds command a 14-7 advantage at intermission.
Touchdown runs by Taylon Gaiter and Nelson increased that cushion to 21 points before Harper answered with a 57-yard scoring dash on the next offensive play to keep Fairview within striking distance.
Redding’s group then registered a safety early in the final quarter — the fumble came just one snap after the Greenwave produced a goal-line stand on fourth down — and Kolt Redding’s 5-yard touchdown dash shortly afterward cut the lead to 28-22 with 5:55 remaining.
Unfortunately for Fairview, it couldn’t get the defensive stop it needed late.
ZJ Dale’s 27-yard touchdown run — followed by a 2-point toss from Nelson to Grayson Ford — put Leeds back in front by two scores with 1:59 left on the clock. Gavin Howard then punctuated the victory with a pick.
Harper capped a fantastic junior campaign with 166 yards and two scores on 21 carries. Redding totaled 40 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Despite Friday’s tough outcome, Fairview will be able to look back on the 2024 campaign with fondness.
The Aggies earned their first region title since 2019 en route to finishing a perfect regular season for the first time in program history.
Leeds will host No. 7 Corner next Friday for a spot in the semifinals.
