Tipp Red Devils dominate Fairborn 41-0 in MVL opener

For the second consecutive week, the Tippecanoe Red Devils performed well in all three phases of the game. And for the second consecutive week, Tipp sent their home fans home happy.

The Red Devils jumped in front with a comfortable halftime lead, then used a running clock in the second half to defeat Fairborn 41-0 to run their record to 2-0 on the season.

“Our offense started with the offensive line tonight, and they gave Larkin (Thomas) time to throw,” Tipp coach Matt Burgbacher said. “Once you got a series or two in there, we knew what Fairborn was going to do. They wanted to stop our run.”

“We were able to take advantage of the pass, and our guys gave him some time. Our big focus this week was how are we going to handle success. We have to handle it the right way. I thought our guys did a great job and we set the tone in the first couple series of the game.”

Tipp scored on their opening drive when Thomas led them downfield inside the ten yard line. Tipp was forced into a field goal from Owen Baileys, which he connected from 23 yards out to give the home squad the quick 3-0 lead.

Thomas then connected with Jackson Davis on a touchdown pass with 3:47 left in the opening quarter pushing the Tipp lead to 10-0.

Logan Butera made it 17-0 with a short touchdown run early in the second period, then when Tipp recovered a fumble inside Fairborn territory. They drove the short field, and Baileys hit a 33-yard field goal with 5:39 left in the half, and Tipp led 20-0.

The Red Devils added one more score before the half as Lucca Adkins recovered a fumble. That led to a 16-yard scoring pass from Thomas to Davis.

Xavier Melton added to the score in the third, then Thomas connected with Grant Titley on an eight-yard scoring pass early in the fourth to round out the scoring.

They say the most important jump early in the season is between weeks one and two, and Burgbacher is pleased with his team.

“I thought in all facets of the game, we played better tonight,” he said. “I loved our kids' focus on playing 48 minutes and not having that breakdown tonight.”

*Next up, the Red Devils hit the road for their first trip of the season, traveling to Greenville to battle the Green Wave on Friday at 7:00 p.m. As of press time, it is uncertain which field the game will be played at. When I spoke to their Athletic Director last weekend, he said the main field may be ready for the game vs Tipp. If not, the game is scheduled to be on the auxiliary field behind the high school, so throw chairs in the car for the game. If the game is played there, the auxiliary field has no visitors seating.

Wherever the game is played, Tipp looks to go 3-0 against the Green Wave, coached by Tipp grad Sean Ford.