FORT MOHAVE — Desert Star Academy celebrated a milestone Friday night as its football team took the field on a brand‑new turf surface for the first time. The upgrades — including a full‑length west‑side bleacher system and a new scoreboard — mark another step in the school’s rapid growth since opening with 62 elementary students twelve years ago.
School director Maggie Montgomery said the expansion reflects both community support and the school’s long‑term vision.
“The area loves football. It loves sports,” Montgomery said. “We’ve got an opportunity right now to expand our high school, build our sports facility, and we’re doing it.”
A major portion of the project’s funding came from Findley Motor Company, whose marketing director Shane Pollock said the company wanted to invest in youth and community development.
“A healthy community is good for everyone, and it starts with the kids,” Pollock said. “This program really seems to be going in the right direction.”
A Night of Firsts on the New Field
- First music on the new field: The Desert Star band performed for the opening‑night crowd.
- First player through the banner: Freshman Nathan Clark (#7) led 22 of his 31 suited teammates onto the field.
- First captains: #2 Jaykob Williams, #7 Nathan Clark, #3 Gavin Canning, and #6 Justin Paris represented the Titans at midfield.
- First kickoff: Junior quarterback/linebacker #13 Brayden Williams delivered the opening kick.
- First Near Tackle: On that kickoff, the returner stepped out of bounds before #99 Dominic Franklin could record the first tackle.
- First tackle: The honor went to three Titans — #18 Connor Lowe (initial contact), #50 Ian Osario, and #8 Justin “JT” Baker.
- First offensive snap: Osario snapped to Clark, who flipped the ball to Canning.
- First yards from Scrimmage: Canning on first play from scrimmage for 15 yards.
- First touchdown: On the next play, Canning scored from five yards out, aided by a key block from #55 Bentley Cunningham, marking the first touchdown ever on the new turf.
Two early touchdowns put Desert Star Academy in a strong victory position on the way to their 62-18 season opening win.
