Dodge City’s explosive offense and success on special teams, culminating in a 27-point fourth quarter, proved to be the difference as the Law defeated the Beef, 69-45 in Dodge City, Kansas
Owners of the CIF’s best record and most productive offense, Dodge City’s overall team speed was evident on the game’s first play. On the opening kickoff, the Law’s Dominique Carson squandered a sizable return thanks to a fumble deep in Omaha territory, recovered by the Beef at the nine-yard line. The offense capitalized on the turnover and scored the game’s first touchdown, a 26-yard strike from Chuck Wright to Brandon Kinnie, to take a 7-0 lead.
Carson, the league’s leading rusher and leader in total touchdowns, would not make another mistake in the game and paced the Law’s scoring efforts for the first three quarters.
With a style and build reminiscent of NFL return specialist Darren Sproles, Carson’s speed created opportunities on special teams and in the flow of the offense on his way to four touchdowns – two rushing, one receiving and one kick return – to set the tone. Three fourth quarter touchdown passes from Dodge City quarterback Joshua Floyd to wide receiver Dello Davis proved to be too much for the Beef to overcome.
After his fumble to start the game, Carson capped a six-play 45-yard drive with a spectacular 15-yard touchdown run.
Dodge City went up 14-7 after a blocked 56-yard field goal attempt by Beef kicker Todd Adolf led to a two-yard touchdown run for Dello Davis on fourth down. 10 seconds later, the lead was extended to 21-7 when AJ Downs’ fumble on the kickoff was returned for a five-yard touchdown.
The Beef responded via rushing touchdowns by Steven Rush and Allen Daniels, sandwiched around a five-yard rushing score by Carson, to narrow the Dodge City lead to 28-24. A one-yard run by Floyd gave the Law a 35-24 halftime advantage.
The two teams combined for just 10 points in the third quarter – a six-yard receiving touchdown for Carson and 34-yard field goal conversion by Adolf – to give Dodge City a 42-27 heading into the fourth quarter.
On the first play of the fourth, Adolf’s 40-yard field goal cut the Law lead to 42-30.
From there, Floyd and Davis took over, connecting on scores of six, 45 and 12 yards. Carson added a 48-yard kickoff return for touchdown, as the Law scored 27 fourth quarter points to seal the victory. The Law improved to 6-1 on the season.
The Beef next host Sioux City at 7 p.m. Friday at Ralston Arena.
Sides of Beef
– Kicker Todd Adolf had his best game of the season, converting field goals from 43, 40 and 34 yards.
– Linebacker Jesse Robertson Jr. led the defense with 13 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss.
– A week after being named the CIF’s Offensive Player of the Week, quarterback Chuck Wright finished 21-of-38 for 219 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
– Brandon Kinnie led the Beef with six receptions and two touchdowns. He has five touchdowns in his last two games.
