While the Fairfield Trojans’ 3-6 season fell short of playoff qualification, the team posted some of the most impressive offensive numbers in Class 3A history while overcoming significant adversity throughout the fall.
Historic Season
Despite missing the playoffs, the Trojans surpassed last season’s win total and doubled their district win total from the previous two seasons combined. Most impressively, Fairfield posted historic numbers across Class 3A.
As a team, the Trojans ranked third in rushing touchdowns with 32, and led all of Class 3A in rushing yards (2,655), rushing yards per carry (7.4), and two-point conversions (18).
Individually, junior Ethan Bisgard led Class 3A in all-purpose yards (1,576), rushing yards per carry (11.5), and two-point conversions (8). Junior Zandrik Allison tied for third in the state with four two-point conversions.
Season Statistics
Quarterback Voss Richardson finished the season completing 25 of 55 passes for 383 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing for 302 yards and two scores on the ground before suffering a season-ending injury in the final game.
Bisgard carried 94 times for 1,082 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 11.5 yards per carry. He also caught 14 passes for 202 yards and two scores. Allison rushed 119 times for 747 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding five receptions for 77 yards and three touchdowns. Brady Wigle contributed 52 carries for 255 yards and three touchdowns.
Blake Burnett hauled in five receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Bisgard led the team with 64 total tackles, while Tucker Robertson added 53. The defense recorded six interceptions, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries as a team.
Team Effort Behind Record-Breaking Numbers
Head Coach Matt Jones highlighted Bisgard’s exceptional season while emphasizing the collective effort required.
“Ethan had a tremendous year on both sides of the ball. He led all of 3A in all-purpose yards and was second in yards per carry. That is no easy feat. He is an excellent student, a great athlete and a quality person. He’s a dynamic athlete with great hand-eye coordination and exceptional speed and explosive ability,” Jones said.
The coach emphasized that Bisgard’s success was a team effort.
“Whenever you can rush for over a thousand yards, there’s a lot of people involved that are helping you out. The offensive line, the tight ends, the fellow backs, the quarterback—especially with the offense we run, it is so complimentary and it requires everyone to do their job. So a huge shout-out to them as well: Blake Burnett, Chase Countryman, Corbin Starr, Axl Starr, Hank Konczal, Christian Rasmussen, Calvin McLain, and Nolan Smith on the line and at tight ends. Quarterback Voss Richardson, Zandrik Allison, Brady Wigle, and Tucker Robertson played a big role in the backfield as well. It truly is a team effort.”
Overcoming Adversity
Jones reflected on the challenges his team faced throughout the season.
“The season was packed full of highs and some major adversity. I’m really proud of this group for sticking together through thick and thin. We’ve had adversity with injuries and had some games where we only took 12 healthy varsity student-athletes into a varsity football game, plus four to five swing players who were freshmen and sophomores who had just played a curtain raiser game. This is definitely the most adversity a team has had to deal with that I have coached.”
Despite the obstacles, Jones celebrated his team’s growth.
“I’m super proud of the way they hung together and actually improved through the season. For them to lead Class 3A in rushing and for the defense to play so well in the final game is a huge testament to our kids and to my entire coaching staff.”
Looking Ahead
Jones expressed his desire to grow the program’s numbers and build on this season’s foundation.
“I would love to grow the numbers for football at Fairfield High School. To me, there is no reason we do not have between 60 and 80 kids out for football. It is a fun game and a competitive game, but also a very tough game. The lessons you learn through it carry on all through life. The game helps mold you into a better husband and father and leader. More kids will mean more competition, better practices, more kids benefiting from the lessons of football, and more kids connected to school.”
He emphasized the importance of commitment and leadership from incoming classes.
“We really need classes to commit and stick together in the tough transition from eighth to ninth grade especially. It takes a couple of core leaders to say ‘we’re going to turn this around; this is our time.’ Then it takes some people to want to follow that and put in the work and say yes to the right things and no to the wrong things. I know we can do it.”
Rebuilding Challenges
Jones noted the personnel challenges ahead, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines.
“We have a lot of great skill kids coming back next year, obviously, but we really need to develop linemen because we lose four out of our five starters. Good news is we get all of our tight ends back and all of our backs except for Spencer. Defensively we have to reload on the defensive line. And anyone who knows anything about football knows how important line play is.”
The Trojans’ historic offensive numbers and resilience shown throughout a challenging year provide a strong foundation as the program looks to build toward future success.
“Go Trojans!” Jones said.
Edited for a correction
