After a 21-day gap from the season opener to game two, the Dodge City football team hit the gridiron again on Saturday against rival Garden City, but would have to play on both Saturday and Sunday to decide the winner of the contest.
The game kicked off on Saturday night, working into the second quarter; however was suspended due to weather and wrapped up on Sunday afternoon, and the Conquistadors, who gave #4 Garden City all they could handle, fell just short, dropping the game 24-17 on the road.
Looking to avoid the impending weather, the contest would kick off thirty minutes early, and the Conqs opened the contest on offense, putting together a 13-play drive covering 80 yards, with the rushing attack getting the action rolling. The drive was capped by an 18-yard touchdown run by
Santana Fleming, and with the extra point, the Conqs lead 7-0.
After forcing a three-and-out defensively, the Conqs would punt their next drive, and then Garden City, using two big pass plays, would find the endzone to tie the game up at 7-7 with 1:20 left in the first quarter. Forcing another punt by Garden City early in the second quarter, the Conqs started to mount another drive, moving the ball to the Garden City 26-yard line with 5:37 left in the first half when the game entered a lightning delay. The delay spanned over an hour before leading to the game being suspended and moved to Sunday.
When the game restarted on Sunday, the Conqs returned to offense and regained the lead as
Adam Pineiro made a 41-yard field goal to make it 10-7, and ultimately, the Conqs carried that lead into halftime. The action would just roll into the third quarter, and Garden City would bust a big 74-yard kickoff return leading to a short field, but the Conqs' defensive line continued to wreak havoc as
Tristen Graham forced a fumble and recovered it. The Conqs then put together a 15-play 79-yard drive that would be capped with a 13-yard touchdown by
Braxton Clark, and with the extra point, lead 17-7.
An interception in the third quarter would give Garden City a short field, and two plays later the Broncbusters scored, making it 17-14. Garden City looked to be on another drive, busting a 52-yard run, but
Jamari Mosley forced a fumble to stop the drive and give the Conqs the ball ahead of the fourth quarter. To start the fourth quarter, the Conqs had a nine-play drive end in a 50-yard field goal attempt that went wide left, and Garden City answered back on the next drive with a 27-yard field goal to tie the game at 17-17. With 6:07 remaining, the Conqs moved the ball back down the field again and would attempt a 51-yard field goal, but it was blocked and returned to the Dodge City 20-yard line. Garden City would use the short field off the blocked field goal to find the endzone and take their first lead at 24-17 with a touchdown. The Conqs would have a few plays as the final minute came off the clock, but were unable to get into scoring position, falling 24-17.
In the loss, the Conqs outgained the Broncbusters 303 to 242 total yards. Clark finished the game 18-32 for 184 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Derick Shanks Jr. added 83 yards on 23 carries, while Fleming had four carries for 12 yards and a touchdown, along with six catches for 42 yards.
Mahki Whitney caught seven passes for 82 yards to lead the Conqs' receiving group.
Defensively,
Lovell Vereen recorded 11 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss, while
Anthony Mattison had seven tackles with three tackles for loss. Graham was strong on the defensive line with five tackles, ½ tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Nate Gunderson and
AJ Vaughns each recorded a sack.
Conqs are at home for the first time this season as they host #2 Iowa Western to continue the season on Saturday, September 20th, with an 11:00 am kick. The matchup will be the third straight game against a Top 10-ranked opponent to start the season for the Conqs.
