Scott City pulls away from Goodland

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Two GWAC teams entered Friday’s Class 3A, District 6 opener on opposite sides of the win-loss column, in hopes of getting off to a good start in district play. Goodland, who had entered 2-1, had the most confidence they’ve had in a while, was facing a Scott City team that was looking to snap a two-game losing streak and pick themselves off the mat.

While the Cowboys looked like they were going to take their opening drive for a score, an interception took that away. The Beavers would score on their opening drive and never looked back, as they would defeat Goodland 32-6 on homecoming night at Darner Field.

Goodland would drive down the field from their own 18 to the Beaver eight yard line on their opening series, but a sack, a penalty and a Blaine Culp interception at the three yard line would end the drive. It took Scott City just one play to get on the board, as Jace Thomas took the carry 97 yards for a touchdown to put them up 6-0 with 6:59 left in the opening quarter. The extra point attempt was botched, as a high snap forced a two point conversion that failed.

That would remain the score after the first quarter. The Beavers would put together their finest drive of the year on their second series. A 15-play, 92-yard drive in just over seven minutes would be finished off on a five-yard Sawyer Stevens touchdown run to put Scott City up 12-0 with 7:30 left before halftime. The two-point conversion failed. A Beaver drive stalled late in the second quarter, as they had to punt with 12 seconds remaining before halftime.

Scott City went three-and-out to open the second half, as would the Cowboys. However on their second series, the Beavers would take advantage of a Carson Faurot interception to the Cowboy 33 yard line. Five plays later, Faurot finished the drive off with a one yard touchdown run with 7:23 left in the third period to go up 18-0. The two-point conversion would fail.

In the fourth quarter, Scott City would add two more scores. Their first capped off a 12-play, 72-yard drive in 3:34, as Sawyer Stevens found paydirt from four yards out. Brady Welker knocked home the PAT to put the Beavers up 25-0 with 8:45 left. Their final points came one play after a Colten Cupp interception at the Goodland seven, as Jace Thomas scored for the second time on a seven-yard run with 7:36 left to push the lead to 31-0, and the Welker extra point kick made the score 32-0 at the 7:36 mark of the game. The Cowboys would take advance of a Beaver turnover, and get their only points of the night. With 4:24 left, Cole Linton would find Jack Daise open in the back of the end zone to make the score 32-6, as the two-point conversion failed. That was the first points for Goodland against Scott City since the fourth quarter of the 2015 season. The Beavers would recover the onside kick and run out the clock to make the final 32-6.

Scott City had a season-high of rushing yards and total offense. They had 340 yards on 55 carries, led by Jace Thomas with 171 yards on 16 carries and two scores, while Carson Faurot added 62 yards and a touchdown and Sawyer Stevens had 60 yards on 10 carries with two touchdowns. Harrison King was 1-4 for 38 yards, as he connected with Isaac Tarango for his lone completion. Dylan Metzgar hooked up Efren Tarango on a seven-yard pass play. The Beavers finished with 385 yards of offense with 16 first downs. They had six penalties for 63 yards.

Goodland finished with 138 yards of offense, with 86 yards on the ground on 18 carries, and they combined for 7-17 passing for 52 yards. Matt Nemechek had 50 yards on five carries, and was 2-6 for 17 yards passing with two interceptions. Cole Linton was 5-11 passing for 35 yards with a touchdown and interception. Jack Daise caught two passes for 29 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys had six first downs. Their first three came on their opening drive and the final three were on their last drive. They had six penalties for 56 yards.

With the win, Scott City has now won 17 consecutive in the series since 2006, and lead the all-time series 37-11 against Goodland. The Beavers also won their 15th straight district opener, and have scored in 147 consecutive games going back to week one of the 2008 season. They also avoided a 1-3 start for the first time since 2000. The Cowboys have dropped seven straight district games.

Scott City played without Ronnie Weathers, Loren Faurot, Carter Gooden and Kevin Serrano, who are injured. Goodland’s Leyton Cure was also out with an injury.

Before the game, Loren Faurot was crowned Homecoming King and Alli Brunswig was crowned Homecoming Queen.

At 2-2 on the year, and 1-0 in District 6, Scott City will be on the road next Friday to take on Russell. The Broncos are 0-4 on the year and 0-1 in district play, after a 60-0 loss at home to Southeast of Saline. Goodland is 2-2 on the year and 0-1 in district play, and will host Smoky Valley next Friday, after the Vikings dropped to 1-3 with an 18-0 loss to Colby at home on Friday. Colby is 4-0 on the season and 1-0 in district play.

Assistant Coach Brian Gentry Postgame