Freedom's Fairchild enjoying expanded role at QB

Credit: James Lynch Jr. | The News Herald

Freedom's David Burgess (3) and Khris Gardin (7) celebrate in the end zone after a Gardin touchdown last Friday. The two players have taken pressure off first-year starting quarterback Shawn Fairchild, who's growing into a playmaker in his own right.

Shawn Fairchild was a starting linebacker last year on one of Freedoms best football teams. But he always envisioned a bit more for himself.

I did still enjoy playing linebacker, Fairchild said, but I wish I could have played both (linebacker and quarterback). You just do what you can to help the team thats been my approach.

Fairchild had played quarterback on several Oak Hill youth football teams but only saw time at the position in fifth-quarter action at the middle school level and on Freedoms JV squad as a sophomore since then. So when he was tabbed as the replacement for Burke County passing record holder Michael Helms just before this season, he faced a tough act to follow.

There was some pressure there, he admitted, but you kind of get used to it. (Michael) was a good example. He did a lot of good things here.

I remember in the South Caldwell game (to open the season) at halftime, I was freaking out. I wasnt confident. I was hoping David (Burgess) would score a million times so we could walk on out with a win.

Patriots fourth-year coach Mike Helms said the quarterback position was his biggest area of concern heading into the fall.

It was our biggest question mark, Helms said. I knew it would be difficult to find someone to keep us going at a high level.

Fairchild experienced the learning curve over the first six weeks of the season. He completed fewer than half of his pass attempts (32 of 71) for 456 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions, playing second fiddle to Burgess and the ground attack.

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Freedom's Fairchild enjoying expanded role at QB