Scott City Routs Abilene

Abilene, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–A blue moon was seen in the sky Friday night over Paul Dennis Field at Cowboy Stadium in Abilene, and it was the Cowboys of Abilene who saw Beaver Blue all night, as Scott City scored 17 first quarter points on their way to a 51-20 win over Abilene in the 2012 season opener for both teams.

After holding the Cowboys three-and-out on their opening drive, the Beavers drove the ball down the field doing what they’ve always done best, pounding the football. Brenner Wells would cap off a 10 play, 56-yard drive with a five-yard run with 7:30 left in the first period. Brett O’Neil tacked on the extra point to make it 7-0 Scott City. On their second possession, Dalton Buehler found the end zone for the first time on a one-yard plunge with 2:41 remaining in the opening period. O’Neil’s PAT made it 14-0 Beavers. Scott City would get an interception from Wells on Abilene’s next possession, and would take it to the Cowboy 10. Despite not gaining any yards, the Beavers would capitalize on the field position, with a 27-yard field goal from O’Neil to make it 17-0 Scott City after one quarter.

In the second quarter, the Beavers opened the game wide open. Brett O’Neil scored is first rushing touchdown with 6:57 remaining before halftime, with a six-yard run, and tacked on the extra point to make it 24-0. Abilene would score their first points of the night on a 16-yard pass from Andy Wilson to Marcus Gonzales. The extra point was blocked, and the score was 24-6 Beavers with 3:21 left in the second quarter. Whatever momentum the Cowboys had, Scott City squashed it on the first play of their ensuing drive. Dalton Buehler took the first handoff up the middle, and came out of the middle of the pile, bounced it to the outside, and 67 yards later, ended up in the end zone for his second run of the night. O’Neil’s kick made it 31-6. In their next series, it was a one-play drive again, as O’Neil found Dalton Buehler in the flat, and Buehler raced upfield through a couple would-be tacklers for a 34-yard touchdown connection to make it 37-6 with 1:22 remaining in the half. That was set up by a 20-yard punt return by Tius Price. After an Abilene mental error on a kneel down at the three yard line, Michael McEachern would sack quarterback Andy Wilson one yard deep in the endzone for a safety with 1:16 to go before recess to make it 39-6.

Scott City took the opening drive of the second half down the field and scored on a four-yard run by Brett O’Neil with 7:47 remaining in the third quarter. Irving Reyes’ extra point attempt sailed wide right, and the score was 45-6. Abilene would score twice in the final quarter, the first time was a 32-yard pass play from Andy Wilson to Marcus Gonzales for their second scoring connection of the evening to make it 45-13 with 10:25 left. The Beavers would put in most of the first team back in after a kickoff return to the Abilene 19 by Price. Two plays later, Buehler found himself in the end zone for the fourth time tonight on a 16-yard run to make it 51-13 after the extra point was missed. The Cowboys would take advantage of Scott City’s lone turnover of the night on a fourth-and-one from the 11, as Wilson found Keil Kelly five yards deep in the end zone for a touchdown pass. Kelly would tack on the final point of the night with 2:56 to go and make the final 51-20.

For the game, Dalton Buehler rushed for 183 yards on only 13 carries, and three rushing touchdowns. Brett O’Neil completed passes to six different receivers on his first six completions. He was 7-12 unofficially for 73 yards and a touchdown pass.

Scott City (1-0) has now won 29 consecutive regular season games, dating back to week nine of the 2008 season. Abilene, (0-1) saw their 25-game regular season winning streak end. The Beavers begin GWAC play Friday at Colby, who was a 20-15 winner at Oakley, and Abilene will face another 3A power in Rossville.