Photo By Stan Bonifacio Sports Photography: Michael Olivar makes the first of three TD passes on the night as The Fort defeated Duncan 58-36 after dedicating their new artificial turf field as Wil Hinton Field.
New artificial turf field dedicated Wil Hinton Field
By Jon Johnson
FORT THOMAS – Duncan came into Fort Thomas on Friday night looking to play spoiler to its new artificial turf football field dedication and started on top 8-0. However, the Apaches scored 44 straight unanswered points on their way to a 58-36 home opener drumming at the newly minted Wil Hinton Field at Fort Thomas High School.
“The kids showed up and they played lights out,” said Fort Thomas first-year head coach Evan Stringfellow. “They really stepped up to the challenge. Offensively we were confident in moving the ball; defensively, we had to make some adjustments. But, overall, I’m super proud of the kids, super proud of what they did. They exceeded my expectations. It feels good to have the win on the new field too.”
After a sluggish start, Fort Thomas burst ahead in the second quarter with three touchdowns. The game’s scoring started with Duncan, however, The Fort answered right back with a 73-yard touchdown pass from Allen Gilbert to Cameron Kempton. Gilbert threw six touchdowns on the day and ran for two more. He also converted multiple 2-point conversions through the air and on the ground, and the Apaches were up 30-8 by halftime
As in the first half, Duncan started the second half by moving the ball downfield. This time, however, the drive stalled in the Red Zone when the quarterback went out of bounds on fourth down before crossing the first down marker.

Beside the stall on that drive, Duncan played Fort Thomas to a stalemate in the second half as each team scored four TDs.
“We just want to keep climbing,” Stringfellow said. “We don’t want to settle for where we are, and the kids have the mentality to keep going.”

“It’s a beautiful field and we have a great team to come and play on it,” Stringfellow said. “So, it’s very exciting . . . One week at a time.”
Fort Thomas (2-0 region, 2-0 overall) will next travel on Friday, Sept. 6 to face the Lincoln Prep Lightning (2-0), starting at 7 p.m.
Duncan (0-1 region, 0-2 overall) will next have its home opener against the San Manuel Miners (0-1 region, 0-2 overall) on Friday, Sept. 6, starting at 7 p.m. Both teams are looking for their first wins of the season.

In other local prep action:
The Thatcher Eagles (2-0 conference, 2-0 overall) went on the road and defeated the Crimson Rattlers (0-2 conference, 0-2 overall) 15-0.
The Eagles will next host the Valley Christian Trojans on Friday, Sept. 6, starting at 7 p.m.

The Morenci Wildcats (1-1 conference, 1-1 overall) had a defensive battle with the Round Valley Elks and came out on top, 6-3.
The Wildcats will next host the Benson Bobcats (1-1 conference, 1-1 overall) on Friday, Sept. 6, starting at 7 p.m.

Thursday Night Lights
The Safford Bulldogs (0-1 conference, 1-1 overall) defeated the Pima Roughriders (1-0 conference, 1-1 overall) 14-7 on Thursday night.
The Bulldogs will next host the Florence Gophers for its home opener and the first game on its new artificial turf field on Friday, Sept. 6, starting at 7 p.m.

The Roughriders have a bye week and will next play on the road at Morenci on Friday, Sept. 13, starting at 7 p.m.