Dodge City’s magical ride ends with loss to Junction City

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City High School football team saw their historic season come to an end on Friday night, following a 54-7 loss to Junction City in the second round of the class 6A state playoffs. 

The Red Demons saw their season close with a 9-1 record, their best record since an 11-1 record in the 2010 season. Dodge City also saw a three-win improvement from last year and had the highest playoff seed in program history at No. 2 in the 6A West.

It didn’t take long for the high powered Junction City offense to get on the scoreboard. The Blue Jays scored 13 points within the first 24 seconds of the game following an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage and then a 36-yard touchdown pass following a Dodge City turnover. 

The Red Demons then put together a 17-play drive that stalled after a failed fourth down conversion. Dodge City was able to get another productive drive going late in the first half that was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from quarterback Beau Foster. The Blue Jays would then score two more times in the final 4:31 of the half to take a 27-7 lead into the halftime break.

The second half wouldn’t bring any luck for the Red Demons, as Junction City would continue to pour it on with their offensive weapons. Dodge City had no answer for the Blue Jays, as Junction City scored 27 more points in the second half to cruise into the 6A quarterfinals. Blue Jay junior quarterback Andrew Khoury threw for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns, his second straight four or more passing touchdown performance. 

Junction City (8-2) will travel to Topeka High (9-1) for the Sectional Round of the class 6A state playoffs. Dodge City ends their season with a 9-1 record and finished 4-0 in Western Athletic Conference play.