BEHIND BLOCKING FROM the offensive line, Fairfield Eagles varsity quarterback pivots for a handoff during a practice session this week. The Eagles test their progress Saturday morning when they host a scrimmage with West. With a little more than a week of practices under their belts, Fairfield high school Eagles coaches have started penciling in players they expect to fill positions on the field.

FHS head coach Darrell Piske notes, however, that all spots are competitive and players must earn the privilege of suiting up with the varsity.

“When crunch time comes, the best 11 are going to be on the field,” Piske says.

Working in favor of the coaching staff, as least in regard to having a successful season, is that the team has developed some depth.

“We have better depth to provide competition this year,” the coach says. “We are trying to be two deep on each side of the football.”

The Eagles make their debut this Saturday when the host scrimmages with West. Action starts at 10 a.m. with the freshmen and junior varsity units taking the field at the same time, followed by varsity squads.

A “Meet the Eagles” event is slated immediately after the scrimmages.

Reporting for 2-a-day practices last week were 35 freshmen and 66 upperclassmen who will be split into varsity and jv teams.

Taking snaps for the varsity are senior Justin Terry, who shared time at quarterback last year, senior Darian Scott and sophomore Aaron Cain. Scott played running back last fall but missed most of the season with a broken leg, and Cain underwent knee surgery.

Early selections at running back are senior Robert Durham and junior Anthony Price, the All- District Offensive Newcomer last year, and fullbacks are sophomore Cody Sell, junior A.J. Gabriel and senior Brodrick White, all of whom have varsity experience.

Working at tight end are Scott, seniors Jacob Cain and Desmond Roberts, junior Blake Davis, sophomore Cooper Cole and freshman Bryson Gates.

The tight ends spots are being filled by seniors Ryan Wilkinson and Roberts.

On the offensive line are senior Michael Mooneyham and junior Dane Blackwood at center, guards Robert Jackson and Cory Black, both seniors, junior Clifton Jones and sophomore Zach Pratt, and tackles Dominique Owens, first team All-District, and Matt Szymanski, both seniors, and juniors Eden Richardson and Hunter Curry.

Our O-line is looking good,” Piske says. “On the offensive side of the ball we have fewer question marks than I thought we would.”

The coach reports that spring conditioning and summer weightroom time put in by players will produce dividends because the athletes are stronger and faster.

He expects the offense to dominate the line of scrimmage while running with power. The passing game, which has improved, will help loosen up opponents’ defenses.

“We are going to hit you in the mouth for four quarters. We are going to be able to run the ball,” the coach says.

Filling the defensive line are tackles Owens, Jackson, Clifton Jones and Adam Jones, and defensive ends Curry, Mooneyham, Blackwood and junior Darius Lewis.

Inside linebackers are White, an All-District pick last season, Williamson, Sell and Gabriel, and the outside linebacking spots are filled by Scott, Price, Gates, senior Jose Garcia and junior Terrence Hunter.

Competing for cornerback are Roberts, juniors Jeff Carter and Brett Wilson, sophomores Darius Roberts and Jay Robertson and freshman Larry Rose.

Safeties are Cain and junior Caleb Gunnels.

First team All-District kicker Rudi Castillo returns along with Garcia. Holding on extra points and field goals is senior Daniel Barker.

The Eagles head to Crockett to scrimmage Friday, Aug. 20, and kick off the gridiron season at home against the Ferris Yellowjackets.