The Fairfield Mules (2008 Overall Record of 5-5, Conference 5-3) play in the Black Diamond Conference in Southern Illinois and are coming off a season that qualified them for the playoffs. They lost to Pittsfield 40-32 in the first round of the playoffs. Last year the Mules started off the first half 4-1 only to finish the second half by playing 1-4. The Mules are once again coached by Justin Townsend heading into his 9th season as head coach at Fairfield. In his 8 years at Fairfield Coach Townsend has a record of 34-42 (.447).
2006 was the only year from 2004-2008 that Fairfield did not qualify for the playoffs. This is the last year in the Black Diamond Conference for Carterville and the first year for Vienna. Fairfield has not won a Black Diamond title since joining the league during an expansion in 2003. [BDC].
Last Season
Last season Fairfield scored 234 points on offense while giving up 206 points on defense. Fairfield will have to make up for graduating seniors like Corey Barbre, Cody Greifza, Brandon Lee, Shawn Otey, Gabe Potter, Hayden Smith, and Kevin Thomason.
Key and Returning Players
Fairfield returns a lot to the field with the offense returning nine starters with Junior Andrew Atteberry at QB (5'10 155), Junior Running Back Cameron Williams (5'9 155), senior Matt Brown at RB (5'4 190), Junior Luke Townsend playing line (6'1 185), senior Jordan Brown at WR (5'8 150) catching balls with senior Dylan Sarles (6'2 170). Filling out the line are Hunter Bryan, John Reynolds, and Caleb Smith. Returning to start on defense are Cameron Williams - DB, Jordan Brown - DB, Dylan Sarles - DB, Andrew Atteberry - DB, Cody Yarnell - LB, John Reynolds - LB, Josh Smith - LB, Tim Moore - DT, Caleb Smith - DT, and Hunter Byran - DE.
Outlook
We see Fairfield being as strong as a Mule with a lot of returning starters on both sides of the ball. Because the Black Diamond Conference is now full Fairfield will replace the Massac County Patriots game with the new Vienna Eagles. Fairfield has to finish the season strong but at this point it looks like they will qualify for the playoffs and battle for around third place in the BDC.
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