Fairfax needs to “finish” to advance

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Even though it hasn’t won in two weeks, Fairfax (6-4) goes into the Invitational Division playoffs with its confidence level as high as its third-seeded position will allow.

Coach Shane Cox puts great faith in the Lions’ no-huddle offense to move the ball and wear down opponents. Yet in its last two Western League games against Westchester and Venice, both losses, Fairfax often halted its drives with mistakes and bad plays.

‘We drive 70 yards down the field then have a fumble, interception or penalty,’ Cox said. ‘Something would happen and we wouldn’t get points. We’ve been sloppy in protecting the ball. We have to improve our ability to finish drives.’

Fairfax hosts 14-th seeded Wilson (4-6) in the first round Thursday. The Mules beat the Lions on their field back on Sept. 20 so the no-huddle attack won’t be a surprise. Still, Cox said his team is eager for a rematch. ‘We definitely respect them. But in our sport you rarely get a chance to play a team twice in the same year. So it’s a tremendous opportunity.’

- Mike Terry