Back to action after a bye week the Dodge City football team welcomed #6 Snow to town for a non-conference tilt and it would prove to be a battle with Snow sneaking away with a 15-6 win behind a strong fourth quarter.
The matchup marked only the two-ever meeting between the teams and like the previous meeting in the Salt City Bowl in 2015 it was the fourth quarter that proved to be the difference as Snow outscored the Conquistadors 15-0 in the fourth to grab the 15-6 win. The loss moves the Conqs to 2-2 on the season.
After a quick possession by the Conqs to open the game, Snow would string a 10-play drive together working inside the redzone but the Conqs defense would come up big with a fourth down stop forcing a turnover on downs. With just over six minutes to go in the first quarter, Snow was back on offense when the Badgers would throw their first of two interceptions as
Dwight Nunoo picked off [ass and set the Conqs up in Snow territory. The Conqs would capitalize off the turnover covering 39 yards in six plays with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Trevyon Jefferson to
Kam'Ryn Thomas on a fourth and six play to cap the drive. A penalty would force the extra point try to be moved back and the Conqs would misfire on the attempt but lead 6-0. Snow would look to mount another drive, but it would be derailed by a
Trey Simmons interception and the Conqs led 6-0 after the first quarter.
That 6-0 lead would stand up going into halftime as neither team could find points in the second quarter the Conqs defense had another clutch fourth down stop to stymie a Snow drive and the Badgers would miss a 28-yard field goal try. But the Conqs would have a pair of turnovers in the second quarter hurting their opportunities.
After a stalemate third quarter the Conqs carried a 6-0 lead into the final 15 minutes of the contest, but Snow would go 80 yards on 12 plays and score with 11:14 remaining and with the PAT take a 7-6 lead. After a defensive stop, Snow returned to the endzone on the next drive scoring with 6:21 remaining and then opting to go for a two-point conversion. After failing on the initial try Snow got another opportunity due to a Conqs penalty and would convert to make it 15-6. The Conqs would look to make a push to stay in the contest, but their last drive would end in an interception and Snow would run the clock out for the 15-6 win.
In the loss, the Conqs defense was stout only giving up 15 points marking the third straight week of surrendering under 20 points in a contest, while also allowing Snow only 260 yards of offense. Conqs offense struggled to get going amassing 188 total yards. The game also featured six turnovers with four from the Conqs and two from Snow, while penalties also plagued the Conqs with 15 for 134 yards.
Dodge City is back at home again next week to continue the season as the Conqs return to KJCCC play taking on rival Garden City in a 7:00 pm kick.
