Dodge City Dooms Liberal’s Homecoming Game

The Dodge City Red Demons still haven’t lost in Liberal since 2004.  The Red Demons rained on Liberal’s homecoming one year after LHS won on DCHS’s homecoming.  The Demons feasted on Liberal’s secondary and held Liberal’s offense in check on the way to a 33-14 win at Cornelsen Sports Complex Friday night in front of a big homecoming crowd.

Dodge City took the game’s opening drive from their own 12 to the Liberal eight.  But on fourth down, Andy Nguyen sacked Dodge City’s quarterback and Gio Duran recovered the fumble.  The Redskins marched from their own 16 to a nine yard run by Alex Schwindt to lead 7-0 after the Horacio Casas point after at the 5:48 mark.  Dodge City was impressive on their second drive which finished with a 25 yard touchdown pass from DC quarterback Alan Flores to Jayden Amaro at the 2:48 mark of the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7.  Liberal marched their second drive to inside the one.  But the Red Demon goal line stand changed the momentum of the game for the rest of the night.  The Demons went to work a few plays later with a 78 yard touchdown pass from Alan Flores to a wide open Cooper Speer for the 14-7 DCHS lead.  Dodge forced Liberal to punt on the next possession and the Demons continued to knife through the Redskin defense resulting in a one yard touchdown run from Dylan Sonday to lead 21-7 with 2:20 to play before half.  Liberal’s passing game led them back down the field and when Tevin Cotter scrambled left and found Anthony Aragonez for a 23 yard play, the Redskins had first and goal again.  But on third and goal from the three, Dodge City’s Mason Phelps intercepted a pass at the one with nine seconds remaining at halftime.  So it was 21-7 Demons at halftime.

Liberal got the ball to begin the second half.  Penalties plagued LHS in the third quarter.  A Redskin touchdown was called back due to holding.   Dodge City’s Bryson Unzueta intercepted a Liberal pass stopping a Liberal drive.    It was was still 21-7 after three.  The Redskins scored first in the fourth quarter.  Devin Cotter lofted a 33 yard touchdown pass into the arms of James Fieser in the north endzone to make it 21-14 with 8:07 to play.  Dodge City converted a third and long pass with a Dodge City catch despite a pass interference against LHS.  Unzueta’s one yard run and missed PAT made it 27-14 with 3:26 to play.  Dodge City’s Cooper Speer intercepted a pass and raced into the southeast endzone for the 33-14 lead.

Unofficially, Dodge City passed for 324 yards and gained 425 yards.  Liberal had 347 yards.  Xavier Porras carried 23 times for 111 yards.  James Fieser had three catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.  Tevin Cotter was 10-19 for 177 yards.  Ayden Juarez had 13 tackles including two for a loss.  Landon Martinez had eight tackles.

Dodge City wins their 8th straight in Redskin Field and is 3-1 and 1-0 in the WAC.  Liberal is 3-1 and 0-1 in the WAC.  Liberal hosts Garden City Friday at 7pm with Redskin Pre-game at 6pm on 1270 and 92.3.