WEST POINT, Ala. – Opening the 2026 season with a bang, the Fairview Aggies, under first-year head coach Brian Simmons, headed into West Point on Friday night for the 10th annual Brandin’ Iron Bowl.
A quick strike from the Warriors put them on top, and takeaways on defense helped maintain that lead until late, but a wild turn of events in the final minute of the game led to a stunning Fairview victory, 27-19.
“It just seems like we could never get over the hump- a lot of miscues. We’ve been talking a lot about discipline, and how we just didn’t have discipline yet. There was lack of belief, a lot of people unsure, because all the guys that left and our guys are trying to figure this out. At halftime, I said, ‘Do we need all those guys back, or can y’all do it? I think that’s been the question that’s been lingering over their head ever since the end of last season. So, the first three-and-a-half quarters were tough, but, you know, that’s kind of what we’ve done over the last few years is find a way to win in the end, so we still have that grit, and we can work with that,” Simmons said after the win.
After an offseason of questions surrounding whether the Aggies would still be *as* successful under new leadership, fans had the air knocked out of them on just the second play from scrimmage. West Point quarterback Max Patterson dropped back and hit wide receiver JJ Minck on a slant that he took all the way to the house, putting the Warriors up 7-0 just seconds into the game.
Fairview and new quarterback Conner Scott threatened on their first offensive drive, with running back John Short taking a run to the outside for a 32-yard gain to put the Aggies in enemy territory. After a couple scrambles from Scott got Fairview a fresh set of downs, the signal caller looked to the to the end zone and put a pass up, but West Point’s Colton Kimbril came down with it, giving the Warriors a touchback.
After back-and-forth bouts of three-and-outs and a missed Aggie field goal, Fairview finally broke through in the second quarter. Their drive started near mid-field after a Warrior punt, and John Short took a couple defenders for a ride on a 12-yard rush to the outside to set the Aggies’ offense up with a new set of downs. On the next play, James Short bounced outside to finish the defense off with a 37-yard Aggie score, and a made extra point tied the ballgame at 7-7.
Before the half, West Point’s offense was set up nicely after the Aggies were forced to punt out of their own end zone. Again, Patterson hit Minck on a slant that gained West Point 10 yards, and on the next play, receiver Bryant Moon made a diving catch in the end zone for a West Point touchdown. The extra point was missed, but the Warriors took their 13-7 lead into the half.
After a Fairview running back coughed up the ball early in the fourth quarter, West Point was set up nicely at the Aggies’ 35 yard line. A nicely-thrown sideline shot from Patterson to Minck got the Warriors inside the five, and after a few run plays were stymied by Fairview, a six-yard swing pass out to Titan Thornton resulted in an Aggie linebacker being bulldozed, and a West Point touchdown. The extra point was missed, but the Warriors went up 19-7 with under ten minutes to go.
Backed up at their own 15, the Aggies had a long way to go, a growing deficit and a running clock. Things didn’t start pretty, either, but four and five yard runs from John Short and Scott were enough to earn first downs and eventually get them close to mid-field, and after having to run backwards to grab a bad snap, Scott found his way forward on 2nd-and-8 for a nine-yard gain. On the way out of bounds, Scott took a late hit that earned a flag, too, sending the Aggies into Warrior territory. After a few positive plays and another penalty, this time a facemask, Fairview began their fourth-quarter comeback with an Easton Fitch touchdown run up the gut. The extra point was blocked, but Fairview had creeped back into the game with just six minutes to go, still trailing 19-13.
Both teams traded punts, and with just two minutes to go, West Point was in a position to potentially seal a win. Instead, on 3rd-and-7, West Point fumbled on a run attempt, the Aggies recovered and the chaos began.
As the clock ticked under 30 seconds, Fairview converted on 4th-and-one to set up a 1st down at West Point’s 32 in front of a raucous crowd. On the next play, Scott launched a ball to the end zone, and Colt Dean came down with it despite two Warrior backs around him, tying the ballgame at 19. The extra point was good, and for the first time in the game, Fairview led, 20-19.
There was still time on the clock, however. West Point fielded a kick-off, and sent the offense out, looking for a miracle. Patterson attempted to hit a receiver on a quick out to stop the clock, but instead, Fairview put icing on the comeback cake with a pick-six to seal a 27-19 shocker.
The Aggies, now 1-0, will take on Hayden at home next Friday, while the Warriors will head to Cleburne County.
