Fort Scott (KS) –Fort Scott gave the No. 7 ranked Coffeyville Red Ravens all they had and about all they could handle. The Hounds, without their starting quarterback, put on a tough and fast display as advertised throughout this season. The zero-turnover day highlighted the potential that the young Hounds have as they kept it neck and neck with the Red Ravens.
With Tough play on the Defense and several extended drives by the Offense, the Hounds held conference leader and top 10 ranked Coffeyville to just 3 points the entire first half. Safety Michaun Coward once again led the way for the Hounds totaling 7 tackles, 4 of them solo to go along with a tackle for loss. Ethan Hix, out of Lugoff Elgin high school in South Carolina, complimented Coward’s play with 5 tackles, a tackle for loss and forced fumble that he would recover.
Tight End Weston Ropp had an exciting performance for the offense. The third-generation Greyhound showed not only his willingness to take on big defensive lineman but his ability to catch the football, catching 5 passes for 62 yards. Ropp’s season high in catches showcased why he is arguably one of the best young TEs in the country. Jaidyn Wilson, who has now started at 3 different positions this season, got the nod at QB and completed a pass to 7 different receivers while adding 52 yards on the ground.
The Hounds came out of halftime tied with the No. 7 ranked Red Ravens at 3 to 3. The Hounds Defense and Special Teams combined for 4 turnovers. Starting corner Aabiyas Wakes, out of De Soto high school and Keeman Hayes out of Tucker high school in Georgia would both recover a muffed punt. Later, Linebacker Larry Corbin ripped away the ball from a Coffeyville ball carrier on 4th down to put the offense in a great field position.
Flanker Reece Thomas, who is likely leading the league in spectacular catches this season, highlighted the second half for the offense making not one but two toe tapping receptions. On what looked like a ball that was being thrown away after pressure from the Coffeyville defense, Thomas would come out of nowhere to snatch the ball on the sideline and get his feet down in bounds completing his second spectacular catch of the day
Kicker Gage Theus who has continued to be one of the most consistent players on the team this season. Theus had another great day of kicking highlighted by a 37 yard field goal. This kick moved Theus into sole possession for most field goals made in the Jayhawk conference. Theus, who is handling punting, field goals and kickoffs, is also currently tied for 3rd in points scored this season.
Despite a great effort and a lot of obvious improvement, the Hounds would ultimately fall to the No. 7 ranked Red Ravens. An impressive second half in the air gave the day to the Hound’s conference leading rival. In his post-game remarks, Coach Carson Hunter was candid as ever.
“We love our team. We love these young men. We don’t love the outcome. But we still love these guys for who they are, how hard they work, and how willing they are to sacrifice for each other. … We obviously have to put together four full quarters. This is two league games in a row we play well and then fizzle out late. We have to keep working to find the finish we need to start winning these. We have to do our best when it matters most. Simple as that. But, none of that changes how proud we are of these guys.”
Fort Scott will be on the road Saturday, for the last game of the season before conference playoffs taking on Butler Community College in El Dorado. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 PM CST.