For the first time since 2017, the Dodge City football team has opened the season 2-1 after picking up a 14-7 road win over Highland last week to make it back-to-back wins.
What would prove to be a defensive struggle the Conquistadors' defense would make several plays to help facilitate the Conqs' scoring leading to their 14-7 road win over Highland the fourth straight win in the series with the Scotties.
The first five drives of the game between both teams saw just 35 yards of offense and it would be a play by the Conq defense that sparked the first points of the contest. Highland pinned back inside their 10-yard line the Scotties looked to pass and
Jaden Kelly snagged an interception to set up the Conqs on the Scottie five-yard line. Two plays later
Treyvon Jefferson tossed a four-yard touchdown to Greg Genross and with the extra point the Conqs led 7-0 with 6:03 left in the first quarter. As the first quarter progressed the Conqs put together the first substantial drive moving the ball 61 yards on nine plays setting up a 25-yard field goal attempt but would be unable to add to the lead.
The defensive battle continued throughout the first half, and it took until midway through the second quarter for the first substantial offensive drive for Highland as the Scotties covered 54 yards on six plays but the drive ended on the Conqs 26-yard line on an incomplete pass on a fourth down and seven play.
Leading 7-0 at halftime the Conqs would start to mount a drive early in the third quarter, but a fumble derailed the possession and Highland would counter with a six-play 79-yard scoring drive to tie the game at 7-7. With the game time dwindling in the fourth quarter, the Conqs found a way to put together another scoring drive going 45 yards on six plays with Jefferson finding
Curtis Rearden III for a 24-yard touchdown, and with the extra point the Conqs led 14-7. Highland would have one last drive in the final seconds of the contest, but the Conqs would wrangle the Scotties in and secure the 14-7 victory.
The Conqs held Highland to just 243 yards but only managed 264 total yards in the contest. Jefferson finished 15-27 for 125 yards with two touchdowns, while Rearden caught four passes for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Kerya Powell snagged six passes for 43 yards and
Jalen Smith ran for 51 yards on 16 carries.
Kenyan Hunter led the team with eight tackles, while
Alexandre Dedieu tallied seven tackles and Kelly snared an interception for the Conqs.
The Conqs will look to utilize a bye week to continue to progress and then will welcome #9 Snow to town on Saturday, September 23rd for a 1:00 pm kickoff.
