March 28, 2024

Dodge City Takes Frustrations Out on Liberal 69-0

Dodge City, KS (westernkansasnews.com) The toughest thing to do sometimes is look in the rearview mirror.  Dodge City Head Football Coach Dave Foster allowed his Red Demons a brief look in the days prior to their homecoming game Friday night against Liberal.  

Foster’s main emphasis was despite difficulties in holding team’s down offensively his team was only a couple of plays from being 3-0 instead of 1-2.  Since they could not change anything now, the best thing to do was be the best 1-2 team in the state.  From what everyone saw Friday night, mission accomplished.

Game Highlights

Dodge City scored on their first three possessions of both the first and second half, reached 60 points for only the third time in Foster’s six years as head coach and shutout Liberal for the first time since a 42-0 win over Southeast one year ago.  Dodge City posted a much needed win in their WAC opener to even their overall mark at 2-2.  Liberal fell to 1-3 and 0-2 in conference losing to Dodge City for the fifth time in their last six games head to head.

Red Demons senior quarterback Caden Walters showed his mastery of the no huddle offense rushing for four touchdowns including a 79 yarder in the second quarter and passing for another four scores, tying a school record.  The offense was all in sync that it needed only one play to get a rushing touchdown from senior Tyler Trent of 59 yards.  Trent who had three rushing touchdowns and a touchdown reception in last week’s 53-48 loss at Wichita Heights finished 9 carries for 135 yards and one touchdown.

Walters was not only moving the ball with his legs, but with his arm.  His four touchdown throws each went to a different receiver Noah Williams, Bryce Unruh, Eric Reid and Dayton McGroarty.  The scoring drives were all quick and with great precision.  All Red Demons scoring drives took 2:23 or less.

Dodge City, KS (westernkansasnews.com) Defensively Dodge City made an even bigger statement limiting Liberal’s rushing attack and holding the Redskins to less than 100 yards until the final play of the game when Tyler Martinez ran a 61 yarder down the near sideline to the Red Demon 8. 

Midway through the second quarter, senior QB Jared Hasik drove his team down the field into the Dodge City red zone only to be intercepted by senior Eric Reid who returned the pick outside his own 40 yard line.  For Dodge City it was their first interception since Reid tipped a pass to Mark Adams  who toe tipped the sideline for an interception against Southeast two weeks prior.

Dodge City will continue WAC play next Friday night on the road at Great Bend.  Liberal will host undefeated Garden City.

Coach Dave Foster’s Post-game comments