The Liberal Redskins conjured up some first half momentum on their senior night but could not maintain it. The visiting Dodge City Red Demons made themselves at home in the second half and beat the Redskins 31-6. LHS finishes 0-4 at home and 0-4 in the WAC in 2018.
The Redskins legitimately controlled the first 20 minutes of the game. The offensive and defensive fronts had an upper hand. But as has been the case in six of Liberal’s eight games this season, the Liberal offense could only score once. Jaylin Staten’s 42 yard touchdown run at the 7:24 mark of the first quarter gave the Redskins the game’s first score. Cesar Burciaga’s PAT was blocked. Liberal led 6-0 after one quarter. The Red Demons did not score until the 2:59 mark of the second quarter when quarterback Beau Foster found De Jon Delgado on a well executed 21 yard throwback pass. The Redskins fumbled on their next play from scrimmage and Delgado recovered at the Redskin 38. Foster’s two yard TD run with :21.5 second left in the half gave the Demons the 14-6 halftime advantage. Liberal outgained DCHS 169-142 in the first half.
In the second half, Dodge City ran over the Redskins holding LHS to only 16 yards. Dodge City’s Alvares kicked a 22 yard field goal to lead 17-6 with 6:44 to play in the third. Jaiel Johnson’s five yard run made it 24-6 with 3:00 minutes to play. Foster found a wide open Matt Friess for a 25 yard TD pass with 11:20 to play to lead 31-6. Liberal’s Javier Bojorquez recovered a fumble when Jose Aguilera hit Foster forcing a fumble. Turnovers were even at one a piece. Dodge City had 324 yards and Liberal had 185. The Redskins have had less than 200 yards in four consecutive games.
Dodge City is 5-3 and finishes second in the WAC with a 3-1 record. The Redskins are 1-7 and 0-4 in the WAC. They play at 7-1 Maize Friday at 7 with Redskin Pre-game at 6 on 1270 and kscbnews.net.