The Tribe went 7-4 last year and a took a first-round playoff loss to eventual state champion St. Xavier. Fairfield’s last postseason win came in 2000.
SEASON PREVIEWS
National recruits Jack Carman, a 6-foot-6, 350-pound senior offensive tackle, and Malik Vann, a 6-3, 270-pound defensive tackle, are expected to lead the way this season.
“We’ve set our bar high,” Krause said. “Our expectations are to continue where we’ve been and probably take the next step. Making the playoffs three times, that’s all good and well, but we want to talk about winning a playoff game and possibly making a run.
“Last Saturday we looked at the calendar and it was exactly 40 weeks from the St. X game. We’ve had a long offseason, but a good one. I really feel like we’ve gotten stronger, and our numbers are in place. Right now, we’re just ready to play.”
The spread offense has a mixture of new and old faces. Carman, junior center Jacob Hensley and senior tackle Isaiah Coleman have starting experience. Senior Randy Truster, junior Derrick Benford and junior Wade Bullock (a transfer from Badin) are the guards, with Bullock a question mark because of a leg injury.
“A ton of potential up front,” Krause said. “If we get Wade back soon, it’s probably one of the better O-lines I’ve ever had as a coach.”
Junior Jeff Tyus (6-5, 215) returns at quarterback after making two starts last year, and Krause thinks the southpaw can be a high-level dual threat.
“He got his feet wet last year,” the FHS coach said. “He’s very athletic, and he’s a guy that’s pretty smart. He’s usually going to make the right read. If he can perform the way I think he can, we have a chance to be pretty good.”
Senior slotback Chico Robinson is a versatile weapon — he led the Indians in receiving yards (534) and was third in rushing (287) in 2016. Junior Erick All (6-5, 215) has moved from wideout to tight end and figures to play a key role in the offense as well.
SEASON PREVIEWS
Senior Taimar Boykin (5-10, 175) is projected to be the No. 1 running back, but he’s dealing with a knee problem in the preseason. Junior Jordan Jones and sophomore Jutahn McClain are also in that mix. If Boykin is healthy, Krause said McClain (a transfer from Winton Woods) will be the “Z” receiver.
The “X” receiver position is being shared by juniors Hajiere Pitts and Peyton Brown, along with sophomore Sawiaha Ellis.
“We’re very hopeful about Taimar,” Krause said. “He’s undersized, but he’s a super-explosive kid. He runs really well, but he squats 485, he’s bench-pressed 290. He has a knack for getting skinny and narrow. He doesn’t need much of a crease to get through.”
Krause said he still hasn’t settled on a place-kicker to replace Jerred McGuire. All or sophomore Caleb Sexton will do the punting.
Among the starters in the 3-4 defense will be junior Raqwon Williams. He was a slotback last year and will back up Robinson on offense this year while playing cornerback.
SEASON PREVIEWS
“He probably didn’t move to corner until about two weeks ago,” Krause said. “We were having a little trouble at corner, and one day we talked as a staff and said, ‘Let’s try Raqwon over there.’ He won the job the first day. It was like, ‘Yeah, he should play there.’ ”
Senior Raylon Lindsey, sophomore Nykel Bell and sophomore Deshaun Simpkins are rotating at the other corner. Senior safeties Kyle Schimpf and Rudy Jones are veterans.
Senior Drew Bartolovich is a returning outside linebacker, and senior Nashon Bell is a returning inside linebacker. Junior Del Thomas looks to be another starter on the inside, while senior Jacob Gooslin, junior Allen Caldwell and junior Cedric Woolridge are battling for an outside spot.
Vann and junior nose guard Greg Fitzpatrick are back up front. Junior Melvin Pleasant is slated to be the other tackle.
“To me, Vann is better than advertised,” Krause said. “If you can imagine him being stronger than he was last year, he is. He’s going to create some problems for offenses in our league for sure.
“We’re really happy with our defense and the way they’re flying around. I like our team speed on that side of the ball. When we play fast, we look good.”
FAIRFIELD INDIANS
Coach: Jason Krause, seventh season (33-30 at Fairfield, 118-98 overall)
OHSAA designation: Division I, Region 4
Playoff history: 5-7 in eight appearances (1985, 1986, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2013, 2015, 2016)
2016 record: 7-4 overall, 5-2 in the Greater Miami Conference (second, tied)
Schedule: Aug. 25 — Centerville, 7 p.m.; Sept. 1 — at Northmont, 7 p.m.; Sept. 8 — at Lakota West, 7 p.m.; Sept. 15 — Lakota East, 7 p.m.; Sept. 22 — at Princeton, 7 p.m.; Sept. 28 — at Sycamore, 7 p.m.; Oct. 6 — Oak Hills, 7 p.m.; Oct. 13 — Colerain, 7 p.m.; Oct. 20 — at Mason, 7 p.m.; Oct. 27 — Middletown, 7 p.m.
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