The Fairfield Trojans delivered a dominant defensive performance Friday night, October 17th, shutting out the Keokuk Chiefs 30-0 on the road to record the program’s first shutout in over a decade since a 41-0 victory over Fort Madison on October 7th, 2016. The shutout was also the third consecutive game in which Fairfield held its opponent scoreless in the first half, following similar performances against Washington and Fort Madison.
Keokuk entered the game without starting quarterback Jadyn Burton, who was among the top five passers in Class 3A with 1,262 passing yards and 15 total touchdowns — 13 through the air — on the season. Backup Memphis Anderson stepped in and completed 23 of 37 passes for 190 yards, but the Fairfield defense kept him under consistent pressure throughout the night.
First Quarter
Keokuk received the opening possession at their own 23-yard line. The Chiefs picked up a first down on a Fairfield penalty on third down, then converted two second-down plays for additional first downs to move into the red zone. Facing fourth-and-9, Keokuk went for it but the pass fell incomplete, turning the ball over on downs.
Fairfield took over at their own 17-yard line with 7:25 remaining in the quarter. The Trojans had a touchdown run nullified by a penalty, pushing them back. On fourth-and-6 from the 7-yard line, Voss Richardson completed the first passing touchdown of the season in regular play to Tucker Robertson. Richardson then carried it himself for the two-point conversion, giving Fairfield an 8-0 lead with 1:10 left in the first quarter. That would be the only scoring of the first half for Fairfield. Keokuk got the ball back at their own 35-yard line with 1:08 remaining.
Second Quarter
Keokuk moved into the red zone once more, but a fourth-and-9 pass fell incomplete, turning the ball over on downs again.
Fairfield took over at their own 12-yard line with 8:57 remaining. Richardson had the ball stripped and Kurt Joy recovered the fumble — a rare turnover — giving Keokuk possession at the Fairfield 36-yard line with 6:59 left. The Chiefs couldn’t capitalize, failing to pick up a first down and punting on fourth-and-7.
Fairfield got the ball back at their own 16-yard line with 5:20 left. An offensive holding call hurt the Trojans as they went three-and-out and punted the ball away. Keokuk took over with 3:59 left at Fairfield’s 47-yard line. With the Chiefs in scoring position at the 26-yard line, Hank Konczal recorded an end-of-half sack on third-and-16 to prevent Keokuk from scoring before the break.
Third Quarter
Fairfield started the second half at their own 20-yard line. Ethan Bisgard immediately made his presence felt with a 29-yard run — the best Fairfield run of the night — to open the half. On third-and-9, Keokuk recovered a Fairfield fumble for the Trojans’ second turnover of the game, giving the Chiefs the ball at their own 44-yard line with 10:19 left. Chase Countryman responded with a sack on third-and-11 to force a three-and-out, pushing Keokuk to fourth-and-18 and a punt.
Fairfield got the ball at their own 35-yard line with 7:52 remaining. A Bisgard punt was blocked, giving Keokuk the ball at Fairfield’s 32-yard line with 6:23 remaining. The Chiefs went for it on fourth-and-4 after again failing to pick up any first downs and turned it over on downs.
Fairfield took over at their own 26-yard line with 4:50 left in the third quarter. Bisgard broke off a 20-yard run and Robertson followed with a 22-yard run on a drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Bisgard. The two-point pass was intercepted, leaving the score at 14-0 with 27.5 seconds left in the quarter, giving Fairfield fans some relief after the slow offensive start. Keokuk got the ball at their own 38-yard line with 18 seconds left.
Fourth Quarter
On third-and-16 from Fairfield’s 39-yard line, Keokuk attempted a trick play. While getting sacked, Keokuk tight end Jalen Clark threw a pass that Richardson intercepted and returned 70 yards for a pick-six. A Robertson two-point conversion run put Fairfield up 22-0 with 7:44 left.
On the first play after the kickoff, Bisgard recovered a fumble off Jett Hotop, giving Fairfield the ball at Keokuk’s 42-yard line with 7:37 left. Bisgard rattled off an 18-yard run to set up first-and-goal, then ran it in from two yards out for the touchdown and also converted the two-point run to complete the 30-0 lead. Countryman recorded another sack and Chase Worley recovered a Keokuk fumble to close out the fourth quarter and seal the victory.
Fairfield Statistics
Ethan Bisgard was the offensive workhorse, carrying 17 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns. The performance pushed him to 1,020 rushing yards on the season through eight games, surpassing 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year. He rushed for 1,082 yards in 2025. The back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons are the first for a Fairfield player since Michael Hammes accomplished the feat in 2009 with 1,225 yards and again in 2010 with 1,218 yards.
Tucker Robertson added 71 yards on 11 carries and caught the touchdown pass from Richardson. Richardson rushed eight times for 28 yards, threw for seven yards and one touchdown on one completion in five attempts, and also recorded an interception he returned 70 yards for a score. Brady Wigle contributed 23 rushing yards on five carries. Richardson, Bisgard and Robertson each converted one two-point conversion.
On defense, Blake Burnett led the team with nine tackles and two tackles for loss. Robertson had 6.5 tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack. Owen Adam contributed six tackles and half a tackle for loss. Chase Countryman was dominant with 5.5 tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks, while also returning two punts for 70 yards. Hank Konczal had 3.5 tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack. Bisgard added four tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Fairfield also held Keokuk’s quarterback Memphis Anderson to just six carries for minus-25 yards.
On the Keokuk side, Anderson completed 23 of 37 passes for 190 yards. Antonio Crockett led the receiving corps with 96 yards, and Kurt Joy added 48. The Chiefs managed just 14 rushing yards on 26 carries by five different players.
Coach Jones’ Perspective
Head Coach Matt Jones addressed how Keokuk’s backup quarterback factored into the game plan.
“Memphis Anderson did a nice job as quarterback for Keokuk, coming in for the injured starter, Jadyn Burton. Anderson did a nice job for them when he had time, but our DL really put pressure on him and our DB’s did a great job covering their receivers. It started up front, and we were in the backfield all night,” Jones said.
Jones reflected on a frustrating first half and what the Trojans corrected after the break.
“We had a touchdown run by Bisgard that was called back that really put us back in the first half, but we ended up overcoming that and scoring. Also, defensively, a defensive holding that was called that gave them a fresh set of downs hurt. We also fumbled the ball back to them in the first half. They did a nice job controlling the ball in the first half. In the second half, we cleaned some things up on the line of scrimmage and Voss’s pick-six was huge,” Jones said.
On Bisgard surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the second consecutive season, Jones had high praise for his running back both on and off the field.
“Ethan getting over the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight year was excellent. Even more impressive might be him averaging over 10 yards a carry. He is a team guy, and knows that his backfield mates blocking and faking, and his TEs and OL are keys to him having success. Ethan is very explosive, and is a threat to score when he touches the ball. He is strong, fast, a captain, a quality student, and also does the unseen things like vacuum up the weight room after the Fort Madison game and greet middle school students on Fridays as they start their day. He’s having a great year!” Jones said.
Jones also highlighted the defense’s continued dominance, including the program’s first full shutout since 2016 and the third consecutive game holding opponents scoreless in the first half.
“Our defense is playing well. To shut out opponents in the first half three consecutive games is impressive. For these guys to record the first shutout since 2016 is excellent! When you play 3A high school football in Iowa, it doesn’t matter who you play, a shutout is a big deal and should be celebrated! Countryman lived in the backfield all night with three sacks. Hank had a big sack to close out the first half, and Burnett, Ethan, Owen, and Tucker were flying around making plays. Coach Steve Miller is doing a great job coordinating the defense and coaching the linebackers. Nick Kaska is preparing the DL well, and they are getting better and better. Our DBs are coached by Aaron Countryman (corners) and Luke Perry (safeties), and those guys have battled and improved throughout the year significantly. Our FS, Brady Wigle, got a forced fumble the other night to go along with Voss Richardson’s pick-six. Jackson Hollander did a nice job breaking up a critical pass early in the game to their 6-foot-5 tight end. To say I’m super-proud of our coaches and kids is an understatement!” Jones said.
Looking ahead to a pivotal matchup at No. 6 Mount Pleasant, Jones said the Trojans are ready for the challenge.
“We get to play Mount Pleasant this Friday at Mount Pleasant. We are a scrappy team that is going to go fight and play our game. Mount Pleasant is an excellent team, with only one loss on the year. They have great players with a lot of size. We are looking forward to the challenge, and hope all our fans can come support us!” Jones said.
Standings and What’s Next
Fairfield moves to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in district play — the program’s first season with five or more wins since 2021. Keokuk falls to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in district play. Fairfield remains ranked No. 12 in Class 3A following the game.
The Trojans will travel Friday to face No. 6 Mount Pleasant on October 23rd, which is 7-1 overall and 3-1 in district play, with their only loss coming against No. 1 Solon. A Fairfield victory guarantees a playoff berth with a second-place district finish. A loss would leave the Trojans waiting until Saturday morning, October 24th, to learn if they earned one of four wildcard spots.
You can rewatch the Trojan action against Keokuk here.
