Scott City holds off Longhorn rally

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–It was a hot 95-degree start at Darner Field on Friday night, as two GWAC rivals met up with Scott City hosting Holcomb. You could say it was a tale of two haves, as both teams were shut out for a half. The difference? A two point conversion. Scott City would survive two quick Longhorn scores in the third quarter, and pick up a confidence-building 14-12 win.

Holcomb had the early momentum to start, using a 10-play drive to march down the field. On third and long, Beavers sophomore Collin McDaniel intercepted a Kaden Johnson pass while he was about to get sacked, and returned it 67 yards to the end zone. However, Scott City was penalized down field for a block in the back that wiped off the score. The penalty would be erased, as the Beavers went seven plays, 27 yards in 3:31. Brady Welker picked up his first touchdown of the season to give Scott City the edge at 6-0 with 2:41 left in the opening frame. The extra point was missed.

After both teams traded three-and-outs, the Beavers yet once again took advantage of a short field. That was set up by Carson Faurot’s punt return that was returned to the Longhorn 21. Eight plays and 4:27 later, Jace Thomas scored from one yard out with 4:52 left in the half to put Scott City up 12-0, and Dylan Metzger connected with Welker for the two-point conversion to make it 14-0. The Beavers converted two fourth downs on that drive.

Scott City fumbled on a third and short to begin their first series of the second half at the Longhorn 45, and Holcomb would take advantage. After a two-yard loss, the Longhorns got on the board through the air, as Kaden Johnson found Levi Knoll behind the secondary for a 57-yard pitch and catch to pull them to within 14-6 with 9:43 left in the third quarter, as the extra point kick was missed. The Beavers would be stuffed on fourth down in their own territory at the 33 yard line in the quarter. Holcomb would go 34 yards on five plays to pull to within two at 14-12 with 3:23 left in the third quarter, as Khai Kosner scored from 16 yards out up the middle. Scott City would stuff the two-point conversion, which was a big play in the game.

Both teams would have their glimpses of moving the ball in the fourth quarter. Holcomb would get to midfield before fumbling to the Beavers early in the period. Scott City would go three-and-out and pinned the Longhorns at their own six. Holcomb ran six plays before they punted, giving the Beavers the ball at the Longhorn 41 with 4:02 left. The Beavers would get a pair of first downs and run out the clock, and picked up the win.

Jace Thomas rushed for 101 yards on 27 carries with a touchdown, while Dylan Metzger threw for 41 yards on 3-6 passing with an interception. His longest pass play was a 30-yard pass to Brady Welker. The Beavers finished with 158 yards of offense, with 117 coming on the ground.

Kaden Johnson was 12-20 through the air for 144 yards, with a touchdown and an two interceptions. Levi Knoll had 61 yards on three catches and a touchdown, while Khai Kosner had 47 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Holcomb finished with 191 yards of offense, as they had 47 rushing yards.

With the win, Scott City leads the series 18-5, and is 2-0 for the fourth time in the last five years. It was Scott City’s 155th consecutive time scoring, dating back to 2008. Holcomb entered Friday’s game 1-0 for the 11th straight year.

At 2-0, Scott City will host 1-1 Cimarron next Friday for Military Night. The Bluejays outlasted Colby 26-14 to improve to 1-1. Holcomb dropped to 1-1, and will host Southwestern Hieghts, who is 1-1 after a 19-6 loss to Texhoma, OK.

Assistant Coach Landon Frank Postgame

Holcomb  0-0-12-0-12
Scott City  6-8-0-0-14

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
SC 2:41 Brady Welker 1-Yard Run (PAT No Good)
2nd Quarter
SC 4:52 Jace Thomas 1-Yard Run (Welker Pass from Dylan Metzger)
3rd Quarter
HO 9:43 Levi Knoll 57-Yd Pass from Kaden Johnson (PAT No Good)
HO 3:32 Khai Kosner 16-Yard Run (2 Pt Failed)

Holcomb
Rushing: Khai Kosner 12-47; Kolby Johnson 5-14; Damon Mesa 1-0; Kaden Johnson 1-(-7); Levi Knoll 1-(-7)
Receiving: Levi Knoll 3-61; Cooper Henson 3-27; Damon Mesa 2-22; Chris Palacios 2-17; Kolby Johnson 1-13; Race Ardery 1-5
Passing: Kaden Johnson 12-20 144 1-2
Rush: 20-47; Pass: 144: Total: 191
1st Downs: 11; 3rd Down: 3-7; 4th Down: 0-0; Penalties: 8-45

Scott City
Rushing: Jace Thomas 27-101; Brady Welker 6-11; Lawson Bailey 2-4; Carson Faurot 2-3; Dylan Metzger 8-0; Team 2-(-2)
Receiving: Brady Welker 1-30; Conner Armendariz 1-10; Lawson Bailey 1-1
Passing: Dylan Metzger 3-6 41 0-1
Rush: 45-117; Pass: 41; Total: 158
1st Downs: 9; 3rd Down: 5-12; 4th Down: 2-3; Penalties: 11-90