By: Mike Smith
For the first time since the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the Dodge City football team has posted back-to-back winning seasons. The Conquistadors finished 6-4 for the 2024 season in their first year under Head Coach
Ryan Lusby.
Lusby took over a Conqs team that was coming off a strong season but took on the head coaching duties just months before the season and the Conqs were preseason picked to finish last in the KJCCC. The Conqs however would battle adversity and finish fourth in the conference going 3-3 in KJCCC action and finish 6-4 on the season and check in at #15 nationally in the final NJCAA rankings.
Seven Conqs have been recognized with All-Conference KJCCC honors for the 2024 season.
Sam Brooks led the selections for the Conqs earning first-team All-Conference at safety.
Stone Wilson,
Quentin Butler, and
Tory Gethers all earned second-team All-Conference at runningback, offensive guard, and linebacker. The trio of
Kerya Powell,
Caleb Sedegan, and
Noah Williams all earned honorable mention All-Conference honors at wide receiver, tight end, and linebacker.
Brooks led the Conqs defense at safety recording a team-high 89 tackles (20 more than the second highest on the team), adding 6.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick. He finished second in the KJCCC in tackles and led the conference in tackles per game at 8.9 while ranking 11th in the nation in total tackles. He had four games with double-figure tackles including a career-high 14 against Iowa Western and Hutchinson.
Gethers at linebacker was the second leading tackler for the Conqs recording 67 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two fumble recoveries, and a blocked kick. He ranked sixth in the KJCCC in total tackles and fourth in tackles per game at 6.7.
Wilson was a strong part of the Conqs offense as he ran for 636 yards on 141 carries with two touchdowns. He finished his Conq career with back-to-back 100+ yard rushing performances against Coffeyville and Butler and averaged a 4.5 yard per carry average on the season. He finished the year fourth in the KJCCC in rushing yards and fifth in yards per game (70.7). Wilson added seven catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. Wilson amassed 1,210 yards rushing in his career which is sixth most in school history.
Butler was an anchor on the offensive line for the Conqs all season stepping in as a transfer from a DIII NJCAA school and being a consistent presence upfront in the trenches. He would suit up and play in all 10 games for the Conqs during the season.
Sedegan at tight end was a solid presence in the rushing and passing attack for the Conqs as he finished with eight catches for 112 yards. He also took on punting duties for the second straight year averaging 35.5 yards per punt and he finished with the most punts in a career in school history with 118.
Powell was a solid offensive weapon for the Conqs amassing 419 total yards with 249 rushing on 25 carries and three touchdowns, along with 170 yards receiving on 16 receptions. He also added 238 yards on kick returns on nine attempts.
Williams finished as the third leading tackler for the Conqs finishing with 61 tackles at linebacker. He added five tackles for loss, one sack, a forced fumble, and an interception. He ranked ninth in tackles and tenth in tackles per game at 6.1 in the KJCCC.
The Conqs have had seven or more All-Conference honorees for 12 straight years.