Offensive efficiency leads Scott City to fifth straight win
Colby, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Two teams who have been going in opposite directions in their first six games met up to start district play at Dennen Field in Colby, as the Eagles played host to the Scott City Beavers. Scott City came into town riding a four-game winning streak after starting the season at 0-2, while Colby’s 3-0 start has been a distant memory, entering the game with three straight losses. With the feeling of starting a brand new season with district play, Scott City scored on six of eight possessions in the game, spoiling the Eagles’ senior night with a 42-12 win.
Both teams would have three possessions in the first half. Colby’s opening drive of the game lasted 6:53 and was stopped short at the Scott City 27. The Beavers took their opening drive, and marched it down the field in nine plays, highlighted by Kevin Aguilera’s 26-yard run with 1:47 remaining in the first quarter to give them the early 7-0 lead, with the Gustavo Gonzalez PAT.
After a missed field goal by Scott City with 6:46 remaining in the half, Colby (3-4, 1-3 GWAC, 0-1 4A, DII Dist. 7) methodically pushed it 80 yards down field on 15 plays, and with 29 seconds left before the break, Tucker Branum punched it in from a yard out to pull the Eagles to within 7-6, as the two-point conversion failed. That drive from Colby was aided by two pass interference penalties by the Beavers. Scott City would come out slinging on the ensuing drive. Facing a first down at the Eagle 40, Bo Hess was flushed to his right, launching the ball to the end zone, where Aguilera made the catch behind the Colby defense about five yards deep with one second remaining, as the Gonzalez kick gave Scott City the 14-6 lead at intermission.
That momentum-changer proved to be big for the rest of the night. The Beavers added two scores in two possessions in the third quarter. The first score came on a Jarret Jurgens run from 47 yards out with 8:07 remaining in the third period to give Scott City a 21-6 lead. After holding the Eagles to a three-and-out, the Beavers used their second straight drive that lasted nearly four minutes. With 2:50 left in the third quarter, Wyatt Hayes found the end zone from nine yards out to give the Beavers a 28-6 lead with the Gonzalez PAT.
Colby would turn the ball over on downs to start the fourth quarter, Scott City (5-2, 3-1, 1-0) went 72 yards on seven plays. At the 9:39 mark of the final period, Jurgens continued his career night with a 10-yard rush to add to the lead at 35-6. However, the Eagles wouldn’t quit. On the ensuing drive, Colby used a hook-and-ladder to get back on the scoreboard. With 6:08 remaining, Austin Hart threw to Brooks Curry, who flipped it to Jordan Schippers on a 15-yard run. The two-point conversion failed for the Eagles, making the score 35-12. Colby would recover the onside kick. Three plays later, Nick Nowak would intercept Hart, taking the ball to the Eagle 17. Scott City would end the scoring on a Jess Drohman run with 3:31 left, and the Gonzalez kick made the final 42-12.
For Scott City, Bo Hess was 7-12 passing for 132 yards and a touchdown. Hess hit five different receivers, as Marshal Faurot caught one pass for 40 yards. On the ground, the Beavers rushed for a season-best 333 yards. Jarret Jurgens had his first career 100-yard game, going for 121 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns, and Wyatt Hayes went for 108 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Scott City went for a season-high 465 yards of offense.
Colby’s Zach Hart was 12-25 passing for 156 yards with an interception. Jordan Schippers led the Eagles with 37 receiving yards on two catches, and also had 56 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown. The Eagles finished with 254 yards of offense.
With the win, Scott City hit a milestone. With their fifth win of the year, the Beavers have guaranteed themselves a non-losing season, which is the 30th consecutive year. Scott City has now won 13 games in the series with Colby since 2000, and now have won 23 consecutive district games since week nine of 2008.
Scott City will finish the regular season at home in their next two games. They will host Goodland next Friday at 7 pm. The Cowboys defeated Concordia tonight 22-8 to improve to 3-4. Concordia drops to 1-6 on the season, as they play host to Colby next Friday night.
Assistant Coach Alex Hutchins postgame
