Dodge City football hit the road for the second straight week and would have another Top 10 ranked team on the docket this time in Jayhawk Conference play as they took on the Highland Scotties. The Conquistadors laid claim to victory in a defensive battle that saw the Conqs win 9-6, claiming a low-scoring defensive battle for the second straight year in Highland.
The Conqs with the win move to 2-2 on the season and 1-1 in KJCCC action with five straight wins against Highland in the series. The win also marks the first KJCCC win of Head Coach,
Ryan Lusby's coaching career.
After opening the contest by forcing a three-and-out by the Highland offense the Conqs had their first drive converting on a fourth and four on a
Stone Wilson 24-yard run to keep the drive alive. The drive would stall out leading to a field goal try which the Conqs would be unable to connect on despite two chances. Both teams would struggle to move the ball as each defense was locking down and would stymie the opposing offense. Just before halftime, the Conqs mounted a 10-play drive that drove into the redzone and the Conqs again converted on a fourth down on the Highland eight-yard line with a
Stone Wilson four-yard run that was nearly a touchdown, but was stopped short of the endzone. The Conqs would settle for a 28-yard field goal attempt to end the first half trying to take the lead, but it would be blocked, and the game remained scoreless entering halftime.
The third quarter was much more of the same as the first half but both teams would be able to move the ball a bit more efficiently as the Conqs mounted an 11-play drive that led to a 52-yard field goal try but once again were unable to score. Just into the fourth quarter, Highland would break into the scoring column with a touchdown pass on an 11-play 65-yard drive but the Conqs special teams would block an extra point for the second straight week as
Darius Hampton got the block. The blocked PAT was scooped up by
Jowhar Franklin who started to return it and then
Amarian Louis grabbed it from him to take it back the rest of the way for two points. After punting the ball away the Conqs would recover a fumble by Highland with 13 minutes remaining as
Tory Gethers recovered the ball setting up a short field for the Conqs on the Scottie 15-yard line.
Gavynn Parker entered the game for the Conqs and would throw a ball to the endzone that
Akim Lanieux would high point in the endzone for a 10-yard touchdown making it 9-6 Conqs with the extra point.
The Conqs defense would continue to hold down Highland as the Scotties had three more drives in the fourth quarter but would be unable to score leading to the Conqs claiming a 9-6 win.
The defense held a KJCCC foe to the lowest point total since September 25th, 2016 (Butler – Conqs won 7-3) giving up just six points to the Scotties. Conqs only surrendered 202 total yards and 5-16 conversions on third down. Gethers led the Conqs defense with 12 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries.
Noah Williams added seven tackles, while
Chris Fitzpatrick had six tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
On offense, the Conqs put together 147 total yards and were 4-6 on fourth down conversions in the contest, and did not turn the ball over in the win.
Bryce Conover was 14-25 for 146 yards, while Lanieux caught three passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. Wilson added 65 yards on the ground on 15 carries.
The season continues for the Conqs on Saturday, September 28th when they will return home to host #15 Iowa Central for an 11:00 am kick.
