Conqs suffer third straight loss

HIGHLAND, KAN. — The Dodge City Community College Conquistadors suffered their third straight loss on Saturday afternoon at Porter Family Stadium. The 19th ranked Highland Scotties prevailed, 40-33.

The Conqs got off to a hot start when Darius Miller intercepted a Scottie pass on their opening drive and took it back to the 20-yard line, setting up great field position for Dodge City. Anthony Watkins capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to put the Conqs up 7-0 with 12:08 to go in the first quarter.

The remainder of the first half was basically evenly matched, as neither team was able to get much going. Highland took a 14-10 lead into the halftime break.

Dodge City came out firing in the third quarter. The Conqs got the second half kickoff and used a 16-play, 71-yard drive that took off 9:15 off the clock to get seven points on a 1-yard rushing score from Drew Harris. The Conqs then had a 5-play, 85-yard drive also in the third quarter that was capped off on a 63-yard rushing touchdown from Watkins. The Conqs took a 24-14 lead into the final quarter.

The wheels then fell off the bus for the Conqs, as Highland would get a score on their opening drive of the fourth quarter to pull within three. Harris then threw an interception at the goal line, just as Dodge City had a chance to go up 10 points. Harris’ interception was took back 100 yards for a Highland touchdown, to give the Scotties a 27-24 lead with just over 10 minutes to go. The Scotties would score two more times in the game and built up a 16-point lead on the Conqs.

Dodge City blocked a Highland PAT and took it back for a safety to pull the Conqs within 14 with 2:33 to go. Dodge City then got an 8-yard touchdown pass from Harris to Tyrice Richie with 47 seconds to go to pull the Conqs within seven. The ensuing onside kick from Devonta Guillory was recovered by the Scotties and they would go down for a kneel down to seal the win.

The Conqs now fall to 3-6 on the season and have dropped three straight games. They will have a bye-week next Saturday before ending their season on the road in Fort Scott on Sat., Nov. 10 with kickoff set for 11 a.m.