By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Great Bend quarterback Daxton Minton was one completion shy of a perfect night last Friday in Wichita. This Friday at home, back under the lights of Memorial Stadium for just a second time this season, Minton found a way to boost his stat line. The senior threw for four touchdowns on his first five attempts, finishing the night a perfect 6-for-6 for 128 yards. The result was a 41-0 win against Western Athletic Conference-foe Dodge City.
“Our offensive line stepped up an insane amount,” Minton said. “We were able to run the ball against their 4-man front with five guys in the box. That was huge tonight, and that’s what won us the game was our offensive line. Our defense not giving up a point – it’s easy to win a game when your defense doesn’t give up a point.”
The Panthers led 14-0 just 10 offensive plays into the night. Minton and senior Conner Holladay had big runs in the first series, which Minton capped with a 28-yard touchdown pass to senior Jacob Hall less than two minutes into the night.
The Great Bend defense also flexed early. Senior Ian Premer picked off a Ty Scheck pass and returned it 65 yards for a score, but that play was called back on a hold after the interception. Just a few plays later, Premer broke free for a 29-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers ahead 14-0 with 3:07 remaining in the first quarter.
Dodge City ran 33 plays in the first half to Great Bend’s 15. The result was a clock in constant motion. The Panthers nearly found the end zone again on a long run from Holladay that ended in a fumble at the Demon 2-yard line. Dodge City broke into the Red Zone before the end of the half but was unable to find points.
Great Bend scored on its first three possessions of the second half. Facing fourth-and-goal, Minton found Premer on a 4-yard strike and 20-0 Panther lead late in the third quarter. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Minton hit a wide-open Cooper Ohnmacht in stride for a 58-yard touchdown.
“I can usually tell if it’s going to be a good throw or not as it comes out of my hand,” Minton said. “I thought I overthrew Cooper, but he made a heck of a play to go and get that ball and score for me.”
Senior Koehn Ribordy ended the next two Red Demon drives with interceptions. Minton hooked up with Premer on the first play following the first pick for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Holladay scored from 21 yards out with four minutes to play to set the clock in motion for good at 41-0.
After allowing 88 rushing yards on 26 carries in the first half, the Panther defense buckled down in the final two quarters, allowing just 34 more yards on 11 attempts. Senior Tyjour Hooke paced the Demons with 57 yards on 16 carries. Scheck finished the night with 60 yards and three interceptions on 7-of-12 passing.
Minton finished his night with 128 yards and the four touchdowns on 6-of-6 passing. Premer caught two balls for 34 yards and a pair of scores. Ohnmacht had the 58-yard touchdown reception, and Hall finished two 32 yards and a score on his two catches. Holladay rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries. Minton added 75 rushing yards on his nine attempts, and Premer finished with 64 yards and a score on five attempts. Freshman Giovanni Cruz booted through six of his seven PAT tries.
Great Bend moves to 5-0 on the season. Liberal outlasted Garden City 39-34 to move to 5-0 on the year. The Panthers host the Redskins next week for Homecoming.