Box Score DODGE CITY, Kansas: After falling behind 6-0 in the first quarter and dropping to a 20-7 deficit at halftime, the Conqs fought back to tie things up 27-27 in the first drive of the fourth quarter, but that would be as close DC3 would come to gaining the lead as the Ellsworth Community College Panthers steadily scored to put the Conqs under with a final 39-34 decision.
Ellsworth (1-0) opened scoring in the first quarter with a short one-yard run by Panther QB Demarius Davis, putting them up 6-0 after kicker Dayton Balvanz missed the extra point attempt.
Early in the second quarter, ECC went up again on a big 71-yard pass by Davis to Tyrian Taylor, putting the opposition up 13-0.
Dodge City (0-1) then got on the board on the next drive as Conq QB gave a nice 53-yard toss over to wide receiver Jeff George with 11:53 on the clock.
The Panthers took the Conqs for one more touchdown with 31 seconds left on the clock in the half to close out the halftime score 20-7 in favor of the visitors.
The third quarter went back and forth for a couple of drives, first with a wide receiver William French touchdown off a 28-yard pass by Ford.
Then ECC snagged 37-yard run by Zaybreion Gunter to bring the score to 27-14.
DC3 then got on the rally horse, putting up a 41-yard touch down pass with Ford and George reconnecting to close the gap at 27-1 and close out the third quarter.
The Conquistadors opened up the fourth quarter with a tying drive on a 12-yard pass from Ford to French, putting the score at 27-27 for a brief moment. Kicker Dillon Burkhard was then blocked on the extra-point attempt that the opposition ran down field for a two-point gain.
ECC took off on the next drive with a 25-yard run by Xavier Washpun, grabbing a little cushion from the pressing Conqs.
With no intentions of letting up however, the Conqs worked down the field for Ford to get an opportunity to put a one-yard run in for another Dodge TD and putting the Conqs well within winning distance with a 36-34 score.
With 2:48 left on the clock, the visiting Panthers scored again on a 20-yard field goal by Balvanz.
The Conqs busted downfield again in a last attempt to score, but Ford was intercepted in the end zone by the Ellsworth defense to close out the game with a Conq loss.
The Conqs posted 200 rushing yard in 42 total attempts while out-passing the Panthers by 327-214 yards on the day. DC3 put up 22 completions in 39 attempts with three interceptions by the opposition.
Deondre Ford led the offense with 327 yards through the air on 22-of-39 passing and four touch down tosses.
Running back Keymonne Gabriel led the Conqs rushing attack with 28 carries for 156 yards gained, while Ford put in 10 carries for 65 yards and a touch down.
French and George led Dodge City's receiving corp with 84-yards on seven receptions and 146-yards on six catches respectively. Wide receiver Christian Booker was also good for 69 yards on five receptions.
Punter Steve Knoche averaged 41.7 yards with 125 total yards on three punts.
Linebacker Ted Taylor led the team with 11 tackles and one sack while posting 3.5 tackles for loss.
The Conqs will return home next Saturday, September 6 at 1:00 p.m. to take on fellow Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference opponents Garden City in the conference opener.
