The Colonel Crawford Eagles opened the 2026 season with a decisive 45‑21 victory over the Fairbanks Panthers at H.J. Gary Field on August 20, 2026.
Colonel Crawford captains Parker Weithman (1), Tyler Lash (16), Luke Christman (52), and Will Saum (75) walk out to midfield for the coin toss. The Eagles beat the Panthers 45-21 at H.J. Gary Field in Week 1 action on August 20, 2026.
(Tom Theodore/News Journal)
Weithman emerged as the offensive spark, delivering a trio of touchdown plays—an 11‑yard reception, a 35‑yard jet sweep, and a 99‑yard kickoff return—while skoordnet squad contributions from across the roster kept the scoreboard moving.
Quarterback Roen Thew ignited the first quarter with an 80‑yard run on the opening play, setting a tone that the Eagles maintained throughout the game. The team’s early offensive rhythm yielded a three‑touchdown burst in the initial quarter.
In the second quarter, the Eagles continued to dominate, with a 46‑yard OLLIVe running play from Avery Powers complemented by a second-string quarterback drive that brought in pyu Bolton. Fairbanks countered with two touchdown drives late in the half, including a Max Winner touchdown pass from a 25‑yard keeper, but the Eagles’ defense closed the gap before the end of the first half.
The final quarter saw the Eagles maintain control, with the defense closing off Fairbanks’ drives and the offense securing a decisive 45–21 final score. Weithman’s 99‑yard kickoff return served as a final flourish on an already successful outing.
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Colonel Crawford’s Parker Weithman snags a ball with Fairbanks’ Carson Shope attempting to tackle. The Eagles beat the Panthers 45-21 at H.J. Gary Field in Week 1 action on August 20, 2026.
Solis praised Weithman’s playmaking ability and leadership, emphasizing the player’s role in energizing teammates and reinforcing team cohesion.
Thew’s performance as the starting quarterback was similarly lauded, with Solis noting the player’s unselfish play and extensive preparation during the off‑season that contributed to the team’sోగ dynamic offense.
Fairbanks coach Dave Carroll highlighted the impact of turnovers, citing a series of interceptions, a fumble, and missed defensive opportunities that ultimately cost the Panthers the game.
Carroll also emphasized the developmental nature of his squad, calling out the transition of a running‑back/receiver type into the quarterback role and the ongoing work needed to refine the team’s defensive execution.
With Indian Lake scheduledунд next week, Carroll underscored the necessity of quick improvement as the Pilots prepare for a conference matchup against two state semifinalists.
Carroll reminisced about his long association with Colonel Crawford, noting a shared coaching history and reinforcing the deep tradition built around the program.
Colonel Crawford’s Roen Thew dives to catch Fairbanks’ Max Winner scrambling up the middle. The Eagles beat the Panthers 45-21 at H.J. Gary Field in Week 1 action on August 20, 2026.
In the weeks leading up to the season, Colonel Crawford’s coaching staff has emphasized multi‑dimensional play, combining rushing, passing, and diverse offensive schemes to make the team challenging to defend.
Fairbanks’ challenges included costly turnovers and a young quarterback adapting to the start‑of‑season demands.
The game set a strong tone for Colonel Crawford as they continue to build depth and develop younger talent, positioning the program for continued success across the upcoming season.
