Scott City Takes GWAC Title in Rout of Goodland
Goodland, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Brett O’Neil was 15-of-20 for 257 yards with a career-high four touchdown passes and had a rushing touchdown, as the Scott City Beaver claimed their fifth straight league crown, third in the GWAC, after a 51-15 win at Cowboy Stadium in Goodland against the Cowboys. The win by Scott City was their 25th consecutive victory, that dates back to 2007, when they were in the MSAA.
Goodland got the first points of the ballgame, taking the opening drive for five minutes, and got a four yard run. The PAT made it 7-0 Cowboys. Scott City got the ball, and fumbled on its second play of the drive at the Beaver 43. Goodland was only able to get to the 27 before their drive stalled. With one minute remaining in the opening period, the Beavers got on the board, as Brett O’Neil ran out of a tackle on a designed naked bootleg, and ran for a 28-yard touchdown run. He booted in the PAT to make it seven all after the opening quarter.
The Beavers would add three more scores in the second quarter, all through the air. Two of them were fourth down conversions. Drew Kite was the first recipient on a 37-yard reception from O’Neil with 9:41 left before halftime. Kite got behind the Cowboy secondary as O’Neil scrambled out of the pocket. It was 14-7 Beavers after the extra point. The second fourth down conversion for a score came with 2:35 to go in the second period on a 23-yard pass to Tyler Hess. After Brett O’Neil got knocked out of the game for a couple of plays, Trey O’Neil filled in as backup quarterback on the two-point conversion. He handed off to Dalton Buehler, and Buehler ran it off right tackle for the conversion to make it 22-7. The Beavers weren’t done. With 3.8 seconds before the break, Brett O’Neil hooked up with his brother Trey on a five-yard pass play. Brett’s extra point made it 29-7 Scott City at the break.
It would be an unusual start to the second half for the Beavers. Scott City was sacked on the first play for a 13-yard loss. After getting seven yards back, the Beavers were flagged for two dead ball fouls and were forced to punt from their own six. After a 14-yard punt by Brett O’Neil, Goodland took over at the Beaver 20. The Cowboys managed only one yard in four plays and Scott City took over at their own 19. On the next play, Brett O’Neil found Dalton Buehler in stride for an 81-yard pitch and catch with 9:19 left in the third. The PAT made it 36-7 Scott City. Brenner Wells scored his lone touchdown of the night with 5:40 remaining in the third frame, on an eight-yard scamper. It would be 43-7 after the extra point.
The fourth quarter saw Scott City’s second team get some playing time. On their third possession of the quarter, Tius Price scored his first-ever touchdown from seven yards out with 6:17 left. Marshal Hutchins ran in the two-point conversion to make it 51-7. With running clock, Goodland was able to go down the field on the second team of Scott City’s, and Garret Taylor found paydirt for the second time on the night from three yards out. Trey Teeter ran in the two-point conversion to make the final tally 51-15.
Scott City finished with 470 yards of offense unofficially, as they had 210 yards on the ground and 260 through the air. Brenner Wells was the leading rusher unofficially with 65 yards. Dalton Buehler had three catches for 111 yards and a score. Tyler Hess had 68 yards on five receptions and a score. Goodland’s Trey Teeter was 6-of-16 for 57 yards with an interception. Dax Ruhs led the Cowboys on the ground with 135 yards on 19 carries, as Goodland finished with 239 yards of total offense.
Scott City (6-0, 5-0 GWAC) turns their attention to district play, as they host the Hoisington Cardinals at Darner Field next Friday night at 7 pm. The Cardinals pounded Larned 60-35. Goodland (2-4, 1-3 GWAC) hosts Clay Center to open district play next Friday. The Tigers lost to Wamego 35-12 in league play.
