Scott City takes advantage of turnovers in win over Russell
Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Scott City and Russell were in search for their first win of the season on Friday night at Darner Field, as the Beavers were looking to avoid their first 0-3 start in 26 years. The Broncos had the first score, but the Beavers had the last laugh, forcing six turnovers in a 43-8 win.
Both teams would score on their opening drives. Russell went down the field 70 yards on the opening series, as they got a two-yard urn by Braigan Dinkel. After an offsides on the extra point on the Beavers, The Broncos would get the two-point conversion on a run by Dinkel to give them the early 8-0 lead with 6:59 left in the opening quarter. Scott City responded with the ground game, getting an 11-yard run by Drew Metzger at the 3:27 mark of the first quarter, pulling them to within 8-7 after the Pablo Solis PAT.
After the ball died at the one yard line and was returned to the Bronco five by Russell, the Scott City defense scored defensively. A 15-yard pick six by Easton Eisenhour with 2:23 in the opening fram pushed the Beavers ahead 15-8 that was capped off by the two-point conversion from Metzger to Adan Tarango.
Scott City put up 21 second quarter points to open the game up, taking advantage of their takeaways. The first score of the period came with 8:05 left in the half on a Metzger one-yard run, as they led 22-8 with the Solis PAT. Following a Russell fumble, Scott City marched down the the field, and got a 12-yard Metzger to Tarango pass with 2:11 left before halftime to go up 29-8 after the Solis kick. Russell would fumble on their own six yard line on their second play from scrimmage on the ensuing drive. On the next play, Jayden Weston scored from six yards out to give the Beavers a 36-8 lead with the Solis kick with 1:16 left before intermission.
In the first half, Scott City scored on all four of their possessions, while forcing turnovers on four consecutive drives by Russell.
The lone score of the second half came on a 72-yard Metzger run with 1:08 left in the third quarter to make the score 43-8 witht the Solis kick.
Scott City put up a season-best of yards, finishing with 369, with 313 coming on the ground. Drew Metzger rushed for 149 yards on 14 carries with three rushing scores, and passed for 56 yards on 4-8 passing with a touchdown. Jayden Weston had 98 yards on 10 carries and a score to go along with a 30-yard reception.
Russell finished with 210 yards, with 138 coming through the air. Braigan Dinkel was 13-21 passing for 138 yards and four interceptions. Kooper Hamlin led the team receiving with six catches for 67 yards. Dinkel added 37 yards on the ground on 12 carries and a touchdown.
With the win, Scott City leads the series against the Broncos 6-1, and is now 3-1 against them at Darner Field. The Beavers have won their last three against current Mid Continent League teams, and hold an advantage of 58-23-2 over the league since 1945. Russell is 0-3 for the first time since 2000.
Scott City will wrap up non-district play and face their first GWAC opponent next Friday at Ulysses. The Tigers are 2-1 after a 49-28 loss at Holcomb on Friday. Russell is 0-3 and will open district play next Friday at home against Ellsworth, who is also 0-3.
Coach Jim Turner Postgame
Box Score
Russell 8 0 0 0–8
Scott City 15 21 7 0–43
Scoring Summary
1st QTR
RU 6:59 Braigan Dinkel 1 Yard Run (B. Dinkel Run) 9-70, 5:01
SC 3:27 Drew Metzger 11 Yard Run (Pablo Solis Kick) 8-45, 3:39
SC 2:23 Easton Eisenhour 15 Yard Interception Return (Adan Tarango Pass from D. Metzger)
2nd QTR
SC 8:05 D. Metzger 1 Yard Run (Solis Kick) 8-45, 3:39
SC 2:11 Tarango 11 Yard Pass from D. Metzger (Solis Kick) 8-79, 3:12
SC 1:16 Jayden Weston 6 Yard Run (Solis Kick) 1-6, :05
3rd QTR
SC 1:08 D. Metzger 72 Yard Run (Solis Kick) 1-72, :13
Russell
Rush
Braigan Dinkel 12-37; Kolten Jones 4-16; Camryn McConnell 11-12; Sawyer Kraft 1-6; Kooper Hamlin 1-1; Total: 29-72
Pass
Braigan Dinkel 13-21 138 0-4; Reese Owens 0-1 0 0-0
Receiving
Kooper Hamlin 6-67; Gage Werth 2-48; Sawyer Kraft 1-18; Leighton Dinkel 1-3; Camryn McConnell 1-(-1)
Total Yards: 210
Scott City
Rush
Drew Metzger 14-149; Jayden Weston 10-98; Adrian Garcia 4-23; Brogan Dirks 1-23; Drake Metzger 1-8; Noah Wheeler 1-7; Stratton Campbell 1-6; Pablo Solis 2-0; Chaysston Anderson 1-(-1); Kevin Lopez 2-(-2); Total: 37-313
Pass
Drew Metzger 4-8 56 1-0
Receiving
Jayden Weston 1-30; Adan Tarango 2-25; Adrian Garcia 1-1
Total Yards: 369