The Dodge City High School Red Demons had a lot to celebrate.
First, they beat the Wichita Northwest Grizzlies 3-0 to become Class 6A South Central Region 2 Champions.
Second, the win gave them an overall record of 15-3, which is the best record in DCHS soccer history.
"Good, great, I mean, I'm a little speechless," Dodge coach Virgil Hutchcraft said. "We knew we could win, we believed we could win."
The Demons started off early. Really early.
Fifteen seconds in, Victor Millan scores the first goal giving DCHS an early lead.
That was the only excitement in the first half though as the Demons went in at halftime leading 1-0.
Both teams came out with fire in the second half.
But the Demons defense was too good.
The Grizzlies’ goal-keeper was playing a risky game all night, and finally the Demons got the best of him. With 24:20 left, Ivan Peralta took advantage of an empty goal to give DCHS a 2-0 lead.
However, as the second half progressed, it got more and more physical.
Millan was issued a hard red card, which took him out of the game and includes an automatic one-game suspension.
"There is a little frustration in the fact that we lose a player for that late in the game, we are going to lose him for a game," Hutchcraft said. "But we've fought through adversity all season long, so we feel like we can handle that and we'll find a way to keep winning.
"That's our goal, to make it to state. We've got one more game to get there. We've fought through all our other goals so we'll be fine and he'll be back for state."
The Demons proved they could overcome adversity. Javier Rojas scored one final goal of the night for a final score of 3-0.
"I thought we should have had a couple insurance in the first half and make it a little easier game," Hutchcraft said. "But, hey, they came through in the second half and there was no let down."
The Demons advance to sub-state play on Tuesday, but do not know their opponent yet. They hope for a chance to have one final home game.
Hutchcraft was overwhelmed at the thought of becoming the team with the best record in Demons history
"We wanted to go undefeated, and we didn't quite do that," Hutchcraft said. "I just love this team. For them to get that goal, I'm just happy for them."
Reach Susie Van Heule at (620) 408-9913 or e-mail her at susie.vanheule@dodgeglobe.com
DODGE CITY —
