By Josh Jennings | Photographs by Michael Kinney
EDMOND – Fairview played risky soccer, going for it five situations on fourth down all over Saturday’s Class A championship sport.
Even so, the threat was really worth the reward, as the Yellowjackets converted four out of these 5 moments in an eventual 32-28 earn from Gore.
The most important conversion came on fourth-and-1 with 37 seconds to perform. Fairview was forward by that eventual closing four-level margin and deep in Gore territory.
This was big and for a point out championship, as Gore experienced zero time outs remaining. Managing back Blake Perez remained calm and gathered, and picked up the initially down to earn the 3rd gold ball for Fairview.
“To me, we were the additional actual physical crew and understood we could push hard to get a number of yards and set it away,” Perez explained. “When that O-line pushes like they have all year, it was easy to get just one garden.
“The group had our back again and they served us push as a result of.”
Perez scored two touchdowns and a two-level conversion. He rushed for 166 yards.
“We worked so tough in the summer season,” Perez explained. “Our workouts have been brutal, but paid off swiftly.
“We dominated the frequent year and saved profitable game titles in the playoffs. We performed our tails off in the playoffs.”
Fairview coach Robert Bernard was ecstatic the moment they picked up the very first down.
“Unbelievable,” he mentioned. “To be on top rated of Class A is unbelievable. Even however we did not get rid of a match and gained 15 games, it has been a extensive time with numerous ups and downs.
“We battled, clawed and figured out approaches to earn.”
Fairview gained its initially state championship given that 1999. Bernard stated Fairview is a youthful staff but just due to the fact they are youthful does not signify they are unable to guide.
The Yellowjackets have 12 seniors on its roster, but 49 players complete.
“Gore has additional seniors than we do, but we have some outstanding leaders,” he stated. “These leaders pulled jointly and refused to shed. Jax (Bernard) played incredibly effectively and led the team as a sophomore.”
Jax Bernard, the Yellowjackets’ quarterback, is mentor Bernard’s son. Jax threw one particular landing and rushed for just one landing.
Equally Jax and Robert loved cherishing this specific moment jointly.
“Jax is a particular soccer player and deserves this,” Robert Bernard reported. “I will by no means fail to remember this moment and I hope he hardly ever forgets this second. I hugged Jax immediately after the video game concluded.
“All I preferred to tell him was congrats on remaining a state winner. Nevertheless, I adore you is what arrived out of my mouth. That is all I could say. With any luck ,, we accomplish this two much more periods.”
Jax agreed with his dad.
“It is magnificent winning a condition championship with my dad and a memory I will hardly ever forget,” Jax explained. “We have worked so tough to complete this and I like my father so significantly.”
Mentor Bernard emphasized just how distinctive this second was and will be.
“Very few coaches get to get a condition championship,” he reported. “Very couple gamers get to get a condition championship.
“Even fewer coaches get to win a condition championship with their son, so this is a memory I will never ignore. We prepare to cherish every single solitary second of this.”
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