Scott City outlasts Concordia

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–On a night where the 1990 Class 4A State Champion was recognized at halftime, the 2020 Scott City Beavers team looked like their traditional self, scoring on four consecutive drives in the second and third quarter, as they held off the Concordia Panthers 24-14 on Friday night at Darner Field. It was the playoff opener for both teams.

After a scoreless first quarter, Scott City would be the first to score early in the second quarter. A 15-play, 51-yard drive that took six minutes off the clock was capped off by a Jace Thomas two-yard run with 9:49 left in the first half. It was 6-0 Beavers after the two-point conversion failed. That was set up by a Blaine Culp interception. Concordia would answer back and take their lone lead of the night, as Wyatt Trost scored from seven yards out with 5:52 left before halftime. The Easton Atwood PAT gave the Panthers a 7-6 lead. In their four games in Scott City, that was the first time that they scored at Darner Field. Scott City responded back with a scoring drive of their own. A drive that went 10 plays, 80 yards in 4:03 was finished off on the Jace Thomas one-yard run on fourth and goal to put the Beavers up 12-0 atfer the missed two-point conversion.

Concordia would march down the field late in the first half, setting up for a 39-yard field goal that was missed wide left to end the half, as Scott City led 12-7 at recess.

To open the second half, the Beavers would move the ball down the field on eight plays, and with 8:08 remaining in the third quarter, a Thomas three-yard run put them up 18-7, after the extra point was missed. Following a Panther three-and-out, the Beavers chewed up five minutes on a 10-play, 59-yard drive, as Thomas scored his fourth touchdown of the game from a yard out. The extra point was no good, giving Scott City a 24-7 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Beavers would stop Concordia at the eight yard line on fourth down with 10 minutes left. Following a punt an a Panther penalty, Hunter Schroeder pulled the Panthers to within 24-13 on a 46-yard run with 5:45 left. The Atwood extra point made it 24-7 Scott City. Concordia attempted an onside kick, and the Beavers recovered it at their own 47 yard line. Scott City picked up four first downs, and ran out the clock, as they picked up the 24-14 win.

Harrison King went 11-15 passing for 211 yards. Jace Thomas had 73 yards on two receptions, and Blaine Culp had 41 yards on three receptions. Thomas carried the ball 30 times for 121 yards and four touchdowns. The Beavers finished with 164 rushing yards and had 375 yards of offense. They were 14-18 on third downs unofficially.

Concordia ran the ball for 246 yards, led by Wyatt Trost with 105 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, while Hunter Schroeder had 104 yards on 10 carries an a touchdown. Trost was 4-8 passing for 16 yards and an interception, with all four passes going to Alec Francis. They finished with 262 yards and had 13 first downs.

With the win, Scott City improves to 6-0 in the series against Concordia all-time, and are 15-1 against teams from the NCKL. The Beavers improved to 20-3 all-time in the Week 9/Bi-District round and are now 52-21 in the playoffs, including 29-11 at home in their 26 playoff appearances. Concordia ends their year at 5-4, as they dropped to 9-15 in 16 playoff appearances.

At 6-3 Scott City will meet up with the 7-1 Riley County Falcons next Friday night on the road. Riley County jumped out early on Smoky Valley and defeated the Vikings 55-16 at home.

Assistant Coach Brian Gentry Postgame