Fort Scott (KS) – After two long weeks on the road, Fort Scott Football came home.
Facing their third opponent coming off a bye-week, Coach Hunter and the Greyhounds were eager to attack their latest challenge against conference foe Dodge City Community College. As each young Hound has gained valuable experience, the team’s leaders are emerging and producing.
With an initial rain delay, the Hounds maintained their pre-game excitement and put on their best half of football of the year - going into half-time down 27-20. Despite a great effort and a record setting day, the Hounds efforts ultimately came up short on the scoreboard. Nonetheless, there were still many indisputable signs of the program’s progress.
Even though their youth rearing its head at key times, Fort Scott’s resilience remained on full display as the Hounds matched the physical play of the more veteran and much bigger Dodge City fronts. Even with multiple players filling in at new positions on defense, the unit still had several stand out. Safety Michaun Coward led the team with 13 total tackles- including eight solo - and a forced fumble to complete a goal line stand. To help Coward and the unit, in what’s becoming a weekly routine, the Hound linebacker core again showed out. With his local legend rising, Lansing Lion Dylan Ward again had 9 tackles, a sack, and tackle for loss. Meanwhile, his fellow backer-brother Ethan Hix tallied 9 tackles of his own and a tackle for loss.
Offensively, spreading the ball around to as many players as possible remained a clear priority. For the third week in a row, the Offense has continued to make strides and cement it’s identity. Even with a more measured commitment to controlling the tempo and the ground game, Coach Carson Hunter’s AirRaid roots could not be hidden. QB Reagan Davenport had a career day. The Celina High (TX) Gunslinger totaled three touchdowns and completed 32 passes to nine different receivers for a total 286 yards.
The Hound Receiving Corps was as strong as ever as seven different receivers had three or more catches. The KJCCC’s best receiver - Mystikal Mcghee - matched his season high seven catches. Mcghee, who is now 2nd in the conference in all-purpose yards after a career day totaled 280 yards and 3 touchdowns. Meanwhile, the rest of Myst’s crew started living up to their potential. Third generation Greyhound Weston Ropp, of Raymore-Peculiar matched his career high. Meanwhile, Lansing’s original Hound - Reece Thomas - had season highs with four catches. In addition, Semaj James added another touchdown reception to top off several explosive plays. ATH Jai Wilson, along with rookie Receiver Jai Taylor and rookie Tight-End Damon Garrison also contributed to the record day.
While they may be young, the core group of Hounds skill players are undeniably productive. And, with the routine distribution of the football, one can’t help but be excited for the future of this budding Greyhound Offense.
The best example of Fort Scott’s emerging Tough and Fast brand of football came throughout the afternoon’s 4th downs. The Hounds Special Teams units are flexing their discipline, speed, and toughness to keep carving a reputation of note. K Gage Theus - tied for the conference lead in field goals and longest field goal made this season - hit a career long 50 yard Field Goal. He would go on to finish the game going 2 for 2 on Field Goals and 3 for 3 on Extra Points. In addition, Theus spared the Conq’s returners the challenge of fielding the ball versus the Fort Scott cover units and placed several kick-offs in the end zone. Meanwhile, the Hound’s national leading return units - led by Special Team Captain Abiyas Wakes and his fellow Desoto Wildcat Zach Switzer - provided a huge touchdown return and ensured great field position all day.
Despite all the great individual efforts, Coach Hunter and the Hounds are still working to put together four quarters of their best football.
“We are getting better every day. That is one of our team goals each season: to get better with every opportunity. We have been doing that, and we are going to keep doing that. … The hard and fast reality is just because we are getting better does not mean we are good enough - not yet. Our student-athletes are great young men - tough, resilient, brilliant, and caring. But, as football players and as a team, we are just now scratching the surface of what we can be.”
“Where we are is all my fault and my responsibility. But, it is also my blessing and opportunity to get to keep everyone working their hardest to fix it. We have some awesome young men who have helped lay the foundation of this program. We also have several good young players who - just like our program - will be great in time. Everyone is working their hardest to stay on track to be the very best they can be. It simply takes time, patience, and support. “
“We have to and will keep working to do everything the Right way all the time. We have to all be early to classes. We have to over communicate with our professors and (Athletic Trainer) Coach Chadwell. We have to attack walk-throughs with the same focus we bring to the game. We have to better protect the football. And, we have to carry over our best-effort-fundamentals to critical situations in the game. Blocking and Tackling. … Once we can do that for a whole week, we will do it for a whole game, and we can ensure everyone in Fort Scott gets the Saturday afternoon’s they deserve.”
Fort Scott will be back home Saturday at Frary Field highlighting Homecoming Week. All fans and community members are invited and encouraged to attend Friday’s Homecoming Bonfire at 7:45 PM CST at the campus ball-fields as well as Saturday’s pre-game tailgate.
Kickoff versus RPA is set for 1PM CST at Frary Field.