By Greg Perkins It took a fourth quarter rally and three overtime possessions, but ninth seeded Joseph City was finally able to outlast eighth seeded Fort Thomas in the first round of the 1A state football playoffs by a final score of 66-58. The result ended the season for the Apaches and advances the Wildcats to the quarterfinal round where they will face top ranked Williams this week. The high scoring game, ironically enough started slowly with each team putting up just six points in the first quarter. Fort Thomas scored twice in the second and the Wildcats found the endzone only once leaving the Apaches on top at the half 22-14. The two teams combined for five touchdowns in the third period with Fort Thomas increasing their lead to 44 to 28. Trailing by two scores entering the final quarter of regulation, Joseph City made up that deficit with a pair of touchdowns and converted both two point plays to force overtime at 44 to 44. Both teams scored once in the first time and again matched each other with touchdowns in the second overtime. Had either team been able to convert an extra point in that second overtime they would have won the game at that point. The Wildcats finally ended the game with a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the third overtime session. Their defense held the Apaches out of the endzone preserving the eight point win. Cameron Baldwin scored five touchdowns on the ground and had one other receiving. He rushed 35 times picking up 207 yards, and caught three passes for 60 yards. Latrell Kinlicheenie completed 10 of 18 passes for 18 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The Wildcat quarterback also rushed 18 times for 137 yards with two scores. Damon Sandoval was the only other Joseph City player to tote the ball, which he did seven times for 16 yards. Jay Edwards had three catches for 48 yards; BJ Martineau, three for 36; Latrell Kinlicheenie, one for 10; and KJ Kinlicheenie caught one for six yards. Along with his offensive numbers Baldwin also carried the defense with 21 total tackles. Carlos Sanchez Osoria had nine and Eligh Ashcroft finished with eight tackles. Joseph City improved their season record to 6-3. Now they will have to travel to Williams on Friday to face a Vikings team, which beat them 71-14 back on Sept. 14 in Joseph City. Williams is the number one seed in the playoffs and had a first round bye.
