KETTERING - On a clear early fall night at Roush Stadium, the Fairmont Firebirds came up just short in a 22-21 loss to Trotwood-Madison. The Rams scored the game-winning touchdown and two-point conversion with three seconds remaining to hand Fairmont its second loss of the season. The evening also included special recognition for the Fairmont West Class of 1969 for their $20,000 donation to the Kettering Forward Foundation, along with a joint halftime performance by the Marching Firebirds and the 8th grade band.

Fairmont (moving to 0-2) led deep into the fourth quarter after riding the legs of senior running back Logan Doty and junior quarterback JJ Hill, but Trotwood quarterback Dallas Shehee orchestrated a 97-yard drive in the final minutes, capping it with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Armani Rogers with three seconds left. Shehee then added the decisive two-point conversion run to give the Rams (moving to 2-0) the comeback victory.

Early Control Through the Ground Game

The Firebirds struck first midway through the opening quarter after Doty ripped off a 62-yard burst on Fairmont’s first possession, setting up a 27-yard field goal from Kole Krejne. Later in the drive-heavy first half, Krejne added a 31-yarder to make it 6-0.

Fairmont’s defense, anchored by Kolby Wallace, Connor Robinson, and Nathan Lamberth, bottled up Trotwood’s running game early. But momentum shifted in a flash. On the Rams’ first snap after Krejne’s second field goal, Shehee hit Tristen Bozeman on a 62-yard touchdown strike. Just minutes later, after a Firebird fumble deep in their own territory, Shehee powered in from the 7-yard line, giving Trotwood a 14-6 halftime lead.

A Firebird Rally

The Firebirds regrouped after the break. Their opening third-quarter possession lasted 11 plays and marched to the Trotwood 1-yard line, but the Rams’ defense held firm. On the next series, Skyler Slifer came up with a huge interception to flip momentum.

Fairmont capitalized quickly: Hill’s 18-yard strike to Damien Pattin set up his own 1-yard touchdown run, with Doty adding the two-point conversion to tie the game at 14-14. Roush Stadium roared, the Firebird sideline buzzed, and the stage was set for a dramatic final quarter.

The Fourth-Quarter Battle

Fairmont’s offensive line, led by seniors, imposed its will in the fourth. Doty carried the load, and Thornton’s 36-yard burst put the Firebirds on the doorstep. Doty finished it off with a 1-yard plunge to give Fairmont a 21-14 lead with just over five minutes left.

Moments later, the Firebirds appeared to seize control for good when Kameron Thornton pounced on a Trotwood fumble at midfield. But the Rams’ defense held, forcing a punt. That set up Shehee’s final heroics — a drive marked by a pair of clutch passes to Rogers, capped by the game-winning score in the closing seconds.

By the Numbers
• Logan Doty carried 33 times for 181 yards and a touchdown, continuing his role as the heartbeat of Fairmont’s offense.
• JJ Hill added 62 yards on the ground with a touchdown, while also completing a key 18-yard pass to Pattin.
• The Firebirds outgained the Rams on the ground, piling up 312 rushing yards, but three lost fumbles proved costly.
• Defensively, Slifer’s interception and consistent play from Wallace and Robinson kept Fairmont in control most of the night.

Looking Ahead

For three quarters, the Firebirds played their brand of football — grinding out long drives, controlling the clock, and leaning on a defense that swarmed to the ball. But against a playmaking quarterback like Shehee, every possession mattered.

It was a painful finish, but the Firebirds showed grit, balance, and promise. With Doty pounding away, Hill developing behind center, and a defense that forced key turnovers.

Next week, the Firebirds travel to LaSalle, who is coming off a 31-7 victory over Northmont. In the LaSalle-Northmont game, QB Avier Carter went 11/20 in the air for 161 yards and the team rushed for a total of 120 yards. Defensively, they gave up 192 total yards to Northmont. LaSalle is 2-0 on the season with a Week 1 victory over Colerain 42-0.