Fayette concluded the season on Friday at the hands of fourth-ranked Salisbury 58-8 in the Class 1 District 7 semifinals on the road.

The Falcons finish 4-7 overall, their best record since 2022. They advanced to the district semifinal after defeating former conference rival Westran 28-26 in the first round of the playoffs on Oct. 31. It marked the second close win over the Hornets this season, after beating them 7-6 on Sept. 19.

Fayette had won just two games in each of the previous two seasons, and Fayette coach Kole Hinton said this year was about changing the culture. “The wins are going to be a byproduct of buying into the culture and doing things the right way. Setting the standard. Holding the standard at all times in everything on the field and off. That was our number one goal, and I feel like we achieved that. Hopefully, that will make some other people want to come out and join the football team.”

With the loss, Fayette bids farewell to six seniors: Carter Vroman, Caleb Craig, Ben Dale, Austin Kunze, Karson Dodson, and Isaac Day. Those seniors have won 14 games over their four years on the Fayette gridiron.

Hinton led these seniors for three of their four seasons after debuting as a head coach in 2023. “The highlight of the season is the camaraderie that we’ve had,” he said. “We’ve had a pretty solid senior group and a pretty solid junior group. They’re very close.

“Karson Dodson is a guy I’m super thankful for the energy he brings every day. He possesses a very rare traditional quality of just showing up every day with a positive attitude and they work ethic that is unmatched by a lot of people. He has a great work ethic.

“Isaac Day has a great work ethic. He’s been very vocal for us in just his second year in the program. He’s continued to develop and be a leader and be a guy we can lean on.

“We are thankful for Ben Dale’s commitment. He has a lot of stuff outside of school he has to take care of for his family. Even though he has those commitments, he’s still committed to us on the field. Hats off to him.

“Austin Kunze is another guy who comes with energy and effort every day. He genuinely loves football. He would run through a brick wall for you even if you don’t ask him to. I appreciate all the things he’s brought to our team.

“Caleb Craig has been a guy who is often overlooked in our linebacker corps. But he’s always around the football. We’ve asked him to step into different roles offensively and defensively from year to year. He went from outside linebacker to safety to linebacker again. He’s done a good job of taking on those tasks without hesitation.

“Carter Vroman is the definition of an athlete who shows up and works every day. He does the right thing just about all the time. He’s the definition of a dream you want to coach. He’s uber-athletic, talented, and a leader who is smart and who will do anything for you. He’s been a dream to coach. I’m so thankful for him for leading our program the last couple of years. He’s going to be missed.

“Hats off to all of these guys. They’ve really bought in and not let other circumstances around them define them. I can’t ask for much more. The future is bright. We’ve got some talent coming back and a little bit of size coming up as well.” 

The Falcons faced a daunting task heading into Friday’s game. Salisbury held a No. 4 state ranking in Class 1 and an unbeaten record, having won every game by a margin of no fewer than 30 points, with three shutouts.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge,” Hinton said. “At the crux of what it comes down to is they are a team that is a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, a little bit quicker, and a lot more disciplined. Their coach has done a really good job of getting them to buy-in.”

Salisbury scored twice before Fayette ever held possession of the football. The Panthers capped a quick opening drive with a two-yard touchdown run just 70 seconds into the first quarter. They took the ball right back after recovering an onside kick and scored again two minutes and 10 seconds later to go up 16-0.

From there, Salisbury ran up the score, taking a 44-0 lead into halftime and denying the Falcon offense a first down in the first two quarters.

Fayette finally began to move the ball in the second half. The Falcons picked up their first first-down of the game on a run by Vroman. But after advancing past midfield, Fayette gave up a fumble on a reverse, cutting short any progress on the drive.

With the clock ticking down in the fourth quarter, Fayette was finally able to find the endzone as junior quarterback Colten Cross connected with junior wide receiver Ky Cunningham for a 33-yard touchdown pass. The Falcons then made a successful two-point conversion on a trick play. Dodson snapped the ball between the Cross’s legs to junior Brodi Tucker in the backfield. He then lobbed the ball to Day in the endzone to give the Falcons eight points.

“It’s something we’ve been waiting a while to debut,” Hinton said. “It was supposed to be snapped between the quarterback’s legs to Brodi. And then a little pop pass. It’s a fun little thing, and we enjoy doing those.”

While the score avoided the shutout, the outcome had been decided in the opening minutes, sending the Falcons home one win short of a district final appearance. Salisbury, heavily favored to win the district, will now host Harrisburg on Friday for the championship game.