For the second straight year the Dodge City football team opened their season facing off with a Top five ranked Iowa Western Reivers team as the Conquistadors traveled to Council Bluffs, Iowa to commence the 2022 season facing off with the #2 ranked Reivers. 

The contest started with a display of defense over the first four series of the game as the teams combined for -1 yards and were unable to get a first down. That changed on the third drive of the game for Iowa Western as they put together a nine-play drive that finished with a touchdown and the Reivers then took advantage of a short field after a Conq turnover making it 14-0 in the first quarter. The offensive woes continued for the Conqs in the second stanza while Iowa Western notched 17 points in the frame and carried a 31-0 lead into halftime. 

In the third quarter the Conqs put together their best offensive drive of the game working their way into the redzone on a 12-play drive that would lead to a field goal attempt but the only scoring in third quarter would be a safety by Iowa Western. In the fourth the Conqs saw Iowa Western added two more scores ultimately grabbing the 46-0 win moving the Conqs to 0-1 to open the 2022 season. 

In the loss the Conqs were able to just garner 135 yards of total offense while Iowa Western finished with 456 total yards. The turnover battle would finish even at two apiece as each team had a fumble and interception. 

Defensively, Jaden Kelly led the Conqs with 12 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack, while Jonethan Wiltshire added nine tackles and forced fumble. Dwight Nunoo tallied six tackles, Dallas Robinson had eight tackles, and Mazio Randall had a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Offensively, Jalen Smith finished with 52 yards rushing on 16 carries, while Jalen Rose Hannah caught four passes for 38 yards. 

Conqs are back in action next Saturday, September 3rd as they will host Coffeyville with a 7:00 pm kickoff.