Fairview 54, Northwestern 14 – PHOTO GALLERY (10/23/26)

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Carl Fonticella | October 24, 2026

At a picturesque Rogers Field in Albion in Western Erie County, Fairview (5-4, 4-2 in Region 3) came out on top 54-14 over Northwestern (1-8, 0-6 in Region 3) in the 2nd to last game of the regular season. Both teams needed a much-needed boost of confidence after losing last week – Fairview dropping a 31-0 contest to North East and Northwestern a 49-34 home game to Eisenhower as the Knights continue to pick up steam as they look to make a case for themselves for the Class 2A playoffs.

Fairview was looking for a way to capture momentum early, and junior Nate Adams answered the call – he took the opening kickoff to the house, and with 11:51 reading on the scoreboard, it was already 7-0 Fairview.

Both teams featured 1,000+ yard quarterbacks, a rarity for West County football, a part of Erie and District 10 that is known for running the football and very rarely throwing it. Northwestern’s junior QB Ryland Copeland entered the game 101/171 for 1,174 yards with 9 TDs and 4 INTs, while Fairview’s junior QB Cullen O’Connor came in 113/196 for 1,368 yards with 8 TDs and 9 INTs.

O’Connor continued to place his name amongst the high points of the Fairview football record books, as his 235 passing yards on the night were only 8 yards away from breaking his own school record of 242 yards passed in a single game set earlier against Eisenhower. He has now gone over 1,600 yards on the season, something no other Fairview quarterback has ever come close to.

Senior TE Javis Nesbitt was his leading receiver, whose 154 yards on the night might be a Fairview school record, and both he and junior WR Ethan Miller finished with receiving touchdowns, while Caleb Ginkel (1), Dylan Hill (2), Marshal Miodus (1) and O’Connor all had rushing touchdowns.

For Copeland and the Wildcats, they were shut out offensively, as their 2 touchdowns on the night came by way of the defense – a pick six and a fumble recovery scoop and score late in the second half.

It takes under 30 minutes to drive between the towns of Fairview, Girard and Albion in Western Erie County Pennsylvania, and for decades when the football teams of all 3 schools have gone up against one another, there is usually a region title in the balance.

From 1933 to 2003 when the former Erie County League was still around, there were a combined 43 League titles won between the 3 of them, and after PIAA District 10 established Region play, Fairview has gone on to win 6 times, Girard 3 and Northwestern 5.

In fact, this was the 85th game between Fairview and Northwestern, the 2nd most-played game in Fairview’s history behind, you guessed it, Girard.

For those who love historical stats, this was the 12th time Fairview has played on October 23rd, and they continue their winning ways on this date as the only opponent they’ve lost to is General McLane; they’re now 10-2 when playing on October 23rd.

After winning just 3 games last season, Fairview improves to 5-4 on year and will take on Slippery Rock High in a day game on Halloween, and Northwestern falls to 1-8 and are away down south in Greenville as they take on Reynolds.