Dodge City Hangs 70 on Liberal

There was no resistance.  Dodge City’s offense spent most of the night clearing paths for their quarterback and running back who were rarely touched in their 70-34 win over Liberal.  Liberal’s defense had made strides early in the season but has reverted back in the past two weeks allowing 119 points.  The 70 allowed against the Red Demons marks the most points allowed since the 2011 Skins allowed 70 in Hutchinson.  The Red Demons put up 520 yards while LHS actually had what was tied for their second best output offensively with 315 yards.  But the middle was wide open all night for Dodge and quarterback Dawson Williams rushed for a mind numbing 337 yards and running back Tyler Garcia rushed for 126 yards.

The Redskins actually scored first after Syris Dunlap busted off a 46 yard run leading to a four yard score from Cesar Burciaga at the 10:13 mark to make it 7-0 after Cesar’s PAT.  Garcia ripped off an 80 yard run up the middle on the first play from scrimmage to tie it.  Williams scored on a 29 yard run and Garcia scored before half to make it 21-7 after one quarter.  Williams had TD runs of 31 and 49 yards to begin the second quarter.  The Demons recovered a fumble on the LHS 43.  Payson Hatfield had a two yard run for a score to make it 42-7 which was the halftime score.

Sam Unruh returned a punt for a score of 96 yards to make it 49-7 to begin the second half.  Sam Mead’s two yard run at the 8:22 mark made it 56-7.  Ty Johnson recovered a Dodge City fumble on a punt return.  That led LHS to a scoring drive capped by Burciaga’s 13 yard run.  The Redskins then recovered an onside kick.  Burciaga’s 20 yard run at the 11:53 mark was the first score of the fourth quarter.  Ty Johnson’s interception was taken about 60 yards to the DCHS two but was fumbled into the endzone which Alex Yanez recovered for the scored to make it 56-26.  Williams 55 yard  run answered.  Zach Mansell scored on a two yard run.  Williams scored on a 61 yard run.

Liberal is 4-4 and finishes 1-3 in the WAC for their eighth straight losing season in the WAC.  Dodge City is 5-3 and 2-2 in the WAC.  The Red Demons have won seven of the past eight against the Redskins.  Liberal is the eight seed on the west side of 5A and hosts 3-5 nine seed Emporia Friday night at 6 with Redskin Pre-game at 5 on 1270 and kscbnews.net.

photos by Rric Smalldridge