KETTERING — The Battle of Kettering lived up to its reputation Thursday night at Roush Stadium. On a damp field with mist and light rain lingering throughout the game, Fairmont and Alter traded momentum in a rivalry clash that came down to the final seconds.

Alter emerged with a 28-21 victory after capitalizing on a late Fairmont turnover, spoiling the Firebirds’ comeback efforts in the season opener.

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Early exchange

Alter opened the game with authority, driving 80 yards on its first possession. Quarterback Rod Owens Jr. finished the series with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Noah Jones, putting the Knights on top midway through the first quarter.

Fairmont responded with a steady ground attack. The Firebirds leaned on senior backs Logan Doty and Kameron Thornton to push into Alter territory, and in the second quarter the defense delivered its first big moment. Nathan Lamberth intercepted a pass near midfield, setting up the offense. Just four plays later, Damien Pattin powered into the end zone from nine yards out to tie the game 7-7.

The Firebirds threatened again late in the half, moving inside Alter’s 45, but the drive stalled. The teams went to halftime locked at seven apiece.

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Trading blows

The Knights regained control late in the third quarter. A long burst from running back Drew Cripps set up a 1-yard keeper by Owens, giving Alter a 14-7 advantage with less than a minute to play in the period.

Fairmont’s answer came quickly. On the second play of the fourth quarter, quarterback JJ Hill connected with senior receiver Nolan Stringer for a 60-yard touchdown strike down the sideline, bringing the home crowd to its feet and tying the score at 14.

Alter’s run game again churned out yards, but this time Fairmont’s passing game took center stage. With 5:39 left, Hill found Stringer once more, this time on a 44-yard connection that gave the Firebirds their first lead of the night at 21-14.

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Late drama

The Knights had one more rally in them. Owens guided Alter downfield, keeping the drive alive with a fourth-down conversion before finishing it himself on a 6-yard touchdown run to even the score at 21 with just 41 seconds left.

On the first play of Fairmont’s next series, the ball came loose on a run and Alter’s Wyatt Reifschneider scooped it up, returning it 30 yards for the decisive touchdown. That quick swing left Fairmont trailing 28-21 with only seconds remaining. The Firebirds managed a couple of completions to midfield, but time ran out on their comeback attempt.

Numbers and notes
• Doty led Fairmont with 88 rushing yards on 15 carries.
• Thornton added 47 yards on the ground and contributed on special teams.
• Hill passed for 110 yards and two touchdowns, both to Stringer, who finished with three catches for 110 yards.
• Defensively, Lamberth’s interception set up Fairmont’s first score, and linebacker Skyler Slifer was a constant presence against Alter’s running attack.