Scott City begins 2018 season on the road at Hugoton

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–It’s a new year, and the Scott City Beavers will open up on the road for a second consecutive year, as they will face the Hugoton Eagles to kick off the season.

Scott City is coming off a season that saw them finish 11-1 in 2017, and see their season end to rival Holcomb 34-13 in the Sub-State finals in Holcomb. The Beavers do return plenty of firepower on offense, led by fullback Wyatt Hayes, who ran for over 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns a year ago, as well as wide receiver Marshal Faurot who had nine touchdown catches last season. Three of the offensive lineman also return, led by seniors Jaren Berning, Kyle Sherwood and Chase Cupp. Scott City will see a youth movement with three projected starters on the defensive side who are starters. Sherwood had seven sacks a year ago as a defensive end. The Beavers outscored their opponents last season by an average of 29-12, and outgained their opponents by and average of 344-173.

Hugoton is under a new head coach in Nick O’Loughlin, who spent the previous six seasons as an assistant at St. Francis. O’Loughlin, who graduated from Hugoton in 2006, inherits a team that finished 3-6 in 2017. Dawson Kerbow returns as their top rusher, and receiver, scoring a combined 10 touchdowns last season, to go along with 763 yards. The Eagles do return four of their starting lineman from last year. Defensively, Hugoton returns seven starters, led by Jagger Hertel, who had 79 tackles a year ago. The Eagles scored an average of 16 points, while giving up 18 last season, and averaged 180 yards of offense.

Scott City has won eight straight in the series, and won 35-7 last season. The Beavers have won the last eight games by an average of 38-4 against the Eagles. Hugoton’s last win in the series came in 2005.

Kickoff is set for 7 pm in Hugoton. Pregame Coverage on Mix 94.5 begins at 6:30. You can also listen online at www.westernkansasnews.com/mix94, on TuneIn Radio or on the Mix 94.5 App.