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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
First week foe formidable for Fairland
2008 Fairland High School football team
Purchase this photoPROCTORVILLE, Ohio -- Fairland's football team anticipates getting off to a good start this season. That won't be easy today against a Portsmouth West team with tremendous size and power.
When Portsmouth West gets off the bus at Fairland for the 7:30 p.m. game, the ground might be shaking.
Portsmouth's West quarterback Ethan Morgan is a towering figure at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. And, the backs behind Morgan like to throw their weight around. The Senators have a trio of running backs who weigh a combined 640 pounds -- Dale Swords (6-0, 210), Trevon Pendleton (6-0, 230) and Mark Murphy (6-0, 200).
But, that's just the tip of the Portsmouth West iceberg.
Offensive tackle Scottie Sparks is 6-7, 320.
"We know that Portsmouth West is really big, fast and strong," Fairland coach Roger Snyder said. "Judging from the film we have seen they might be the best team on our schedule."
Although Fairland's team doesn't lack talent, matching the size and strength of the Senators could be a serious problem.
Quarterback Cole Hatfield is Mr. Excitement for the Dragons. If he can dip and dodge the Senators, the matchup could go down to the wire.
"We are going to be a fun team to watch and we are capable of putting up a lot of points," Hatfield said. "We're going to spread people out and take advantage of our skill people."
Speedster Matt Bloomfield is the Dragons' top threat at running back. Receivers Chad Fisher and Aaron Ward are primary targets.
