Scott City plays host to Mesa Ridge in home opener

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–The Scott City Beavers will be playing their second straight ranked opponent in their home opener tonight, as the Mesa Ridge Grizzlies from the Colorado Springs metro makes the 240-mile trip to Scott City for their first ever Kansas opponent.

Mesa Ridge is ranked No. 5 in Class 4A in Colorado, and enters with a 2-1 record following a 35-12 loss to perennial power Palmer Ridge last Friday night. The Grizzlies trailed 7-6 at the break, before the Bears scored 21 points in the third quarter. Leading the way for Mesa Ridge is senior quarterback Koa Dietrich, who has thrown for 542 yards and six touchdowns, and running back Amari McBroom has rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns in three games, while having 241 receiving yards and two scores. The Grizzlies average 30 points while giving up 16 and average just under 300 yards of offense per contest. Jerimi Calip is in his sixth year as head coach.

Scott City fell behind early against the No. 4 ranked team in Class 4A in Kansas in Great Bend, falling 47-28 last Friday night. The Beavers trailed 27-7 at the break, outscoring the Panthers by one in the second half. They would be outgained 480-329 in the game, as they scored on three of their four second half possessions. Drew Metzger passed for 167 yards and two scores and had 91 yards on the ground in the loss, while Adan Tarango had two receiving touchdowns and 51 receiving yards. The loss snapped Scott City’s nine-game week one win streak.

This is the first meeting between the two schools. Mesa Ridge has an enrollment of around 1,300 students, which would put them in the upper part of 5A football and 6A for all other activities.This will be the fifth straight year that Scott City has played an opponent from Colorado. They played Wray the previous four seasons and will be the sixth different Colorado school they’ve faced.

On the day of the 25th Anniversary of the September 11 attacks, it will be Millitary Appreciation Night at Darner Field.

Kickoff is at 7 pm. Pregame coverage on Mix 94.5 and the Beaver Broadcasting Network begins at 6:30 pm.