April 16, 2024

Scott City survives mid-game scare from Colby

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Funny things can happen on Friday the 13th. That is if you are superstitious. Whether or not Scott City’s players or coaches are superstitious or not, the Beavers found themselves in a tight game in the third quarter with some uncharacteristic plays. In the end, Scott City went back to what brought them to a 6-0 record entering the game, and all was well for the Beavers. On Senior Night, Scott City scored 21 unanswered points in the second half in a 42-14 win over the Colby Eagles.

Scott City would score on their first two drives of the first half, taking advantage of a short field both times. Their first score came with 6:59 left in the first quarter on a Nick Nowak seven-yard run. Moses Hinojos PAT made it 7-0 Beavers. Colby would turn the ball over on an interception on their next drive, setting up Scott City at the Eagle 46 yard line. Eight plays later, Wyatt Hayes punched it in from four yards out to make it 14-0 after the Hinojos PAT.

Early in the second quarter, the Beavers would hold Colby at the Scott City 9 on fourth down. On the third play of the drive, Nowak would bust it open on a 78-yard touchdown run, the longest play from scrimmage this season to make it 21-0 with the Hinojos PAT. The Eagles would get on the board late in the first half, taking advantage of a Scott City turnover. Jordan Schippers would score from 10 yards out with 23.4 seconds left in the half. The Max Broers extra point kick made it 21-7 Beavers at the break.

Colby found themselves with the ball to begin the second half, after a muff by Scott City on the kickoff return at the Beaver 23 yard line. Six plays later, Colby’s Zach Hart scored on the option keeper from three yards out to pull them to within 21-14 after the Broer PAT. The Beavers would turn the ball over on defense, and the Scott City defense would force Colby to punt on the next drive after a first down. A 77-yard drive would commence for Scott City, as they would go up two scores at 28-14 with 25.6 seconds remaining in the third quarter, thanks to a Wyatt Hayes 24-yard run.

In the fourth quarter, the Eagles would only get two first downs, and Scott City controlled the game, mostly on the ground. Their first big touchdown of the period came on third and goal on a six-yard run by Jarret Jurgens with 7:00 to go to put them up 35-14 with the Hinojos PAT. After a Colby punt, Scott City used short field and a short two-play 44-yard drive to score. Nick Nowak rushed it in from 37 yards out for his third touchdown of the night to cap the scoring off at 42-14.

Nick Nowak led the Scott City ground attack with a career high 171 yards rushing on 10 attempts and three touchdowns. Wyatt Hayes added 132 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. The Beavers finished with 339 yards on the ground and 447 yards of offense. Parker Gooden was 9-16 passing for 108 yards and an interception. Jarret Jurges had five receptions for 61 yards.

Colby finished with 223  yards of offense, and just the second time all season that Scott City allowed an opponent get over 200 yards of offense. Jordan Schippers had 44 yards rushing on 10 carries and a touchdown, while Calvin Stapp had 38 yards on 14 carries and 45 receiving yards on four catches. Zach Hart was 9-22 passing for 79 yards with two interceptions.

Scott City now improves to 26-15 in the series with their 14th consecutive win in the series. The Beavers are 7-0 for the 10th time in 12 seasons to go along with their 26th consecutive district win.

Scott City is 7-0 on the season, 4-0 in GWAC play, and 1-0 in district play. The Beavers clinched a share of the league title and can win it outright next Friday at Goodland. The Cowboys are 2-5 on the year, and 0-1 in district play after a 20-19 heartbreaking loss at Concordia, who improves to 4-3 on the year. Colby dropped their third straight game and are 4-3 on the year, 2-2 in league play and 0-1 in district play. They will host Concordia next Friday night.

Assistant Coach Landon Frank Postgame