One up, one down.
Despite facing a 13-point underdog tag, the Dodge City High Red Demons football team opened its season with a 26-3 win on the road against the Wichita Southeast Golden Buffaloes Friday.
The win avenged the Demons' 35-21 defeat to the Buffaloes in last season's opener.
After accumulating only 26 rushing yards against the Buffaloes last year, Dodge racked up 171 yards on the ground Friday, with newcomer senior running back Jace Banner carrying for 107 of them.
Banner, quarterback Ty Thomas and the Dodge offense struggled early, however. After taking the opening kickoff, the Demons failed to move the ball, going three-and-out and creating an opportunity for Southeast to capitalize and grab the first lead of the night on a field goal.
Bruce Campbell and Banner powered Dodge down the field on the next possession and Banner gave the Demons a 6-3 lead with a rushing touchdown at the beginning of the second quarter. The score stayed that way after a failed two-point conversion as Thomas overthrew fellow team captain tight end Laton Dowling.
DCHS grabbed a 10-point advantage later in the second when Thomas found a familiar target in 2008 All-State performer wide receiver Landon Head for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Head led Dodge with four receptions and 53 yards on the night. After a point-after-touchdown by Josh Ginther, the Demons were up 13-3.
With 1:51 remaining in the first half, Thomas recorded his second score on the night when he hooked up with wideout Zach Harvey for a 25-yard touchdown reception, giving Dodge a 19-3 lead after Wichita blocked Ginther's PAT attempt.
"Zach Harvey's a great athlete and he's going to be a great player," Dodge City head coach Justin Burke said of the receiver and starting free safety after the game. "Harvey, on both sides of the ball, was fantastic."
The score remained the same headed into intermission.
Wichita fumbled the ball on its first series of the third quarter and Banner capitalized with a 35-yard touchdown run on the following play to give Dodge a 26-3 lead. It was the only score from either team in the second half.
The Demons went on to score 26 unanswered points en route to the 26-3 win.
Thomas went 8-for-23 with 121 yards on the night.
Dodge will take on the Wichita East Flying Aces next Friday at 7 p.m. in its 2009 home opener.
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One up, one down.
Despite facing a 13-point underdog tag, the Dodge City High Red Demons football team opened its season with a 26-3 win on the road against the Wichita Southeast Golden Buffaloes Friday.
The win avenged the Demons' 35-21 defeat to the Buffaloes in last season's opener.
After accumulating only 26 rushing yards against the Buffaloes last year, Dodge racked up 171 yards on the ground Friday, with newcomer senior running back Jace Banner carrying for 107 of them.
Banner, quarterback Ty Thomas and the Dodge offense struggled early, however. After taking the opening kickoff, the Demons failed to move the ball, going three-and-out and creating an opportunity for Southeast to capitalize and grab the first lead of the night on a field goal.
Bruce Campbell and Banner powered Dodge down the field on the next possession and Banner gave the Demons a 6-3 lead with a rushing touchdown at the beginning of the second quarter. The score stayed that way after a failed two-point conversion as Thomas overthrew fellow team captain tight end Laton Dowling.
DCHS grabbed a 10-point advantage later in the second when Thomas found a familiar target in 2008 All-State performer wide receiver Landon Head for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Head led Dodge with four receptions and 53 yards on the night. After a point-after-touchdown by Josh Ginther, the Demons were up 13-3.
With 1:51 remaining in the first half, Thomas recorded his second score on the night when he hooked up with wideout Zach Harvey for a 25-yard touchdown reception, giving Dodge a 19-3 lead after Wichita blocked Ginther's PAT attempt.
"Zach Harvey's a great athlete and he's going to be a great player," Dodge City head coach Justin Burke said of the receiver and starting free safety after the game. "Harvey, on both sides of the ball, was fantastic."
The score remained the same headed into intermission.
Wichita fumbled the ball on its first series of the third quarter and Banner capitalized with a 35-yard touchdown run on the following play to give Dodge a 26-3 lead. It was the only score from either team in the second half.
The Demons went on to score 26 unanswered points en route to the 26-3 win.
Thomas went 8-for-23 with 121 yards on the night.
Dodge will take on the Wichita East Flying Aces next Friday at 7 p.m. in its 2009 home opener.
