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PIQUA — Another fine effort brought Fairfield High School's football team another dose of anguish Friday night, Aug. 29.

The Indians had several opportunities to end their lengthy winless streak against host Piqua, but in the end, Fairfield was simply mired in frustration.

Two fumbles and a game-ending sack were the Tribe's defining moments in three periods of overtime as Piqua emerged with a 14-7 triumph at Alexander Stadium.

"It's growing pains ... we don't know how to win yet," said Fairfield coach Doc Gamble, now 0-2 in his new position. "We're our own worst enemies."

The demoralizing setback extended the Indians' losing streak to 16, with a trip to Winton Woods looming next Friday.

Quarterback Justin McCray scored Fairfield's lone touchdown on a 3-yard run with 3:00 remaining in regulation. That score led to a 7-7 deadlock and forced OT.

"The kids fought — I'm proud of them," said Gamble, emotional in defeat. "We're a young football team, and we're learning. We just don't want to learn this way."

Defensively, the Indians were very good. Gibson Dweh, Marcus Miller and Ross Hambrick all had sacks, David Harding recovered a fumble in overtime, and Isaiah Scott blocked a 38-yard field goal to end the second extra stanza.

"The defense was great, special teams were great," Gamble said. "We're trying to figure it out on offense right now."

The Indians were limited to just 8 yards on the ground and got mixed results from the rotating quarterback tandem of McCray and Jordan Ammon.

Ammon started and completed 11-of-21 passes for 67 yards, getting picked off twice. McCray was 7-of-12 for 60 yards.

"We call plays that suit both of those guys," Gamble said. "We're waiting for one of them to step up and take the position. They haven't done it yet."

Both saw plenty of action in overtime, yet couldn't lead Fairfield to the end zone.

The Indians and Piqua both fumbled the ball away in the first OT. In the next period, Fairfield fumbled again, but the hosts' field-goal try was blocked.

In overtime No. 3, Cole Selsor hit Kendall Taylor with a screen pass that covered 20 yards for a touchdown. Fairfield responded with three incompletions by McCray, followed by Ammon getting sacked by Joshua Osborne.

Taylor had 103 yards on 19 carries for Piqua (1-1), which won the yardage battle 223-135.

"You don't want to play a game like that, but when your kids respond in that situation, you've got to be happy," Piqua coach Bill Nees said. "I thought Fairfield's kids responded, too. Both teams should be proud of how they played."

Fairfield's four turnovers were brutal, especially the two fumbles in overtime.

"We're just trying to get in position to give the kicker a chance," Gamble said. "We have to learn how to take care of the football."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.