FAIRLAND, OK. — Fairland High School Football is under new leadership entering a new season, one year removed from the program's first state semifinal appearance since 1972.
The Owls finished 10-3 overall in 2025, falling by one point (47-46) in the semifinal matchup against the eventual state champions Talihina.
This time around, Travis Rhatigan steps in as head coach for his first season on the Owls' sideline.
"I think we've adapted well," senior Carter Ramsey said. "I mean, he comes in here, he's been coaching us hard, not letting us slack."
"He's a good guy. He's a good coach. All in all he's really good person," senior Gannon Smalley said.
A Missouri Southern State University graduate, Rhatigan enters year one in Fairland with previous experience in the Four States under his belt at programs like McDonald County and Grove.
After arguably the best season in decades for the Fairland program, Rhatigan said it's an exciting opportunity for him to help continue the Owls' upward trajectory.
"It's really been exciting to build and really try to take a step off from that and put another, you know, brick in the foundation of having a successful program year after year," Rhatigan said.
After graduating roughly 15 seniors including star quarterback Carson Schertz, Fairland is expecting to lean on a young core, including some freshman in the varsity mix.
Rhatigan said he inherited a "completely new group" compared to the Owls' 2025 roster that made a deep postseason run, something he views as a positive.
"There's a lot of excitement about being able to come into being a starter," Rhatigan said.
"We still have some older kids that have some experience. We got some pretty good freshmen coming up from eighth grade last year," Smalley said.
Smalley is set to take over under center in 2026 as QB1, a transition from his reps at wide receiver a year ago.
Rhatigan said with an emphasis on playing downhill football, Smalley's skill set is a good fit for the Owls' scheme.
"He's a team first guy," Rhatigan said. "He's vocal. People rally around him, and when the ball's in his hand, he's fun to watch."
Rhatigan will take to the sidelines donning a Fairland logo for the first time when the Owls take the field for a Week 1 matchup on the road against Pawhuska. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, August 28.
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