Highland, Kan. - Coughing the ball up four times, the Dodge City Community College football team could not overcome 14 points off turnovers for Highland Community College in 26-16 road loss at Kessinger Field on Saturday, August 27th. 

DC3 drops their season opener to fall to 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the KJCCC while the Scotties improved to 1-0 and earned their first conference victory of the year. 

A stagnant offense was costly in the first half, as the Conquistadors could only muster 37 yards of total offense, giving up two Highland touchdowns to fall behind 13-0 at the half. Highland took the opening drive of the game nine plays for 67 yards capped by a 22 yard run by quarterback Kahlil Render but would have the extra point blocked. With 5:18 remaining in the first half, Render would find receiver Bailey Strunk for an 11 yard pass to make the score 13-0 leaving the Conqs with little to show in the first 30 minutes. 

Much of the third quarter was a defensive batle, as DC3 finally broke through on an eight play 70 yard drive leading to an AJ walker touchdown run from a yard out after getting the benefit of the doubt with the Scotties extending the drive on penalties. 

Highland marched right back down the field to come up with an answer of their own with Render throwing his second touchdown pass of the night to Alec Freeman from 26 yards out to make the score 20-7 heading into the fourth quarter. 

After burning a timeout on a key third down play, DC3 quarterback Caden Walters found an open receiver for a 16 yard touchdown pass to get the Conquistadors back within one score. A great kickoff by Jordan Scarlett matched by equally excellent kick coverage pinned the Scotties deep in their own territory before a snap over the quarterback's head sent the ball into the back of the endzone for safety to cut the score to 20-16. 

On the ensuing kick though, DC3 would not recover the ball allowing for Highland to take possession, leading to four play drive capped by a 24 yard pass completion to put the Scotties up 26-16. Dodge City could not make anything of their last two drives of the game, eventually dropping to 0-1. 

Dodge City native Walters went 17-22 with 172 yards and one touchdown in his collegiate debut while Walker picked up 40 yards on the ground with one score. 

Austin Watkins led the receivers with 46 yards on seven catches while Douglas Butts picked up three catches for 39 yards with one touchdown. 

Highland outgained the Conquistadors in total yards 326-241 while outgaining DC3 on the ground 112-68. Time of possesion was 32:27-27:33 in favor of Highland while the Conquistadors negative four in the turnover department. 

Dodge City will look to rebound next week in their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 12 p.m. against Iowa Central in non-conference action. The Tritons will come into the contest 0-1 following a loss against the College of DuPage earlier today.