Both Park Hill and Truman entered Friday night’s football game with momentum. Both squads had won seven straight games. Both also took direct aim on what was at stake — the Suburban Conference Red Division title.

By the end of the game, it was clear that Park Hill’s balanced offensive attack was just too much and the Trojans rolled to a 38-16 victory.

Park Hill did not waste any time. Just a few plays into the game, the Trojans started the excitment when Billy Maples hit Kentrez Bell on a 55-yard slant. Bell ran away from the Truman secondary and put his team up early. Bell and Maples also connected for another touchdown in the the third quarter.

“I just throw it up and trust them to go make plays for me,” Maples said.

Maples ended the game with impressive passing numbers. He competed 11-of-15 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns. His top target was Bell, who finished with 80 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s done a great job of picking up that system and really running it,” Park Hill coach Josh Hood said of Maples.

Truman hit a major obstacle when starting quarterback Dean Clemons came out of the game with an injured left elbow. He did not return.

After Clemons’ departure, Truman standout running back Jordan Salima took the ball out of the Wildcat formation. It got worse for the Patriots, who fumbled at the 1-yard line when they had a chance to tie the score.