By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Trojan Sam Stanifer returns an interception for a touchdown for the first score of the 2016 season.
Trojan Nick Fenney battles a cramp late in the game. Trojan Gabe Christopher
ARLINGTON — Two teams with something to prove took to the Bolton Stadium field tonight.
The host Bolton Wildcats were ready to end a 10-year losing streak to the rival Millington Trojans. Meanwhile the Trojans were looking to extend the straight, get off to a 1-0 start and build the confidence of roster full of young talent.
By the time the final buzzer sounded in Arlington, the black and blue of Bolton celebrated a 34-13 victory.
The first big play of the game made it appear the Trojans were going to continue their winning ways against the Wildcats. Millington senior linebacker Sam Stanifer picked off a Bolton pass and raced to the end zone for the first quarter touchdown to make the score 6-0 Millington.
Just a few seconds later Stanifer continued his hot start with a sack for a big lost ending a Bolton offensive drive.
The Trojans’ 6-0 advantage held for most of the first quarter until Bolton scored on a 36-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds remaining in the opening period.
Fumbles ruled the second quarter for both teams. Bolton managed to increase its 7-6 lead late in the first half with a pick-6. The Wildcats added a two-point conversion to lead 15-6 at the break.
The Wildcats (1-0) added to their advantage in the third quarter courtesy of a Jameion Herron 4-yard TD run with 1:53 left. The score entering the fourth quarter was 21-6 in favor of Bolton.
In the fourth quarter Wildcat Kelvin Brown exploded for a couple of big runs through a fatigued Trojan defense. As Millington players battled cramps, Bolton offensive standouts had enough juice to make the score 27-6 when Brown scored on a short run to conclude a long drive.
The 27-6 score grew to 34-6 when Bolton score on another interception return to the end zone.
Millington (0-1) had the final score of the night when freshman signal caller Tommy Clifton connected with wide out Dayan Miller for a 23-yard touchdown with 7:48 remaining in the game.
Bolton will return to action Sept. 2 when against Memphis Central. Meanwhile the Trojans will head to Munford next Friday for the annual M&M Bowl.
