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Panthers thump Cowboys 47-3, improve to 2-1 in district

Based on their performance on Friday, the Concordia Panthers may lobby for early start times the remainder of the season.
Concordia and Goodland kicked off at 4:30 p.m. instead of 7:00 because of a forecast for thunderstorms.
The Panthers scored on six of eight possessions in the first half in building a 34-0 lead, and then tacked on two quick touchdowns in the third quarter on their way to a 47-3 victory over the Cowboys in a Class 3A District 8 matchup at Harold M. Clark Stadium.
“I thought the kids adjusted well (to the early start). When we went out there we kept everything the same prior to the game, so it felt pretty normal,” Concordia coach Austin Kingsbury said, “It was really nice to beat the weather. I think we got into the locker room and 10 minutes later it was storming.”
Concordia, 3-3 overall, improved to 2-1 in district play and is in position to secure a spot in the 3A state playoffs.
Scott City, Colby remained unbeaten in the district at 3-0 with wins Friday night.
Beloit, with the 55-12 loss to Scott City, is 1-2. Goodland and Russell are both 0-3.
Concordia plays at Beloit on Friday night with an opportunity to lock up the three seed in the district.
“This week is probably the biggest week for sure. Beloit is a rival. We haven't beaten them in my time here. They are a good team,” Kingsbury said, “This is an opportunity to help us get a higher seed in the playoffs so we are really going to buckle down and try to go out and win this football game.”
Concordia got off to a fast start on both sides of the ball against winless Goodland (0-6).
The Panthers forced a Goodland punt on the first offensive possession of the game, but were pinned back at their own 4-yard line.
Senior quarterback Dyelan Reed broke a 34-yard run on first down.
Concordia would go 96 yards in nine plays.
Sophomore running back Hunter Schroeder capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:44 to play in the first quarter.
The two-point conversion attempt was no good, and the Panthers led 6-0.
“It was an ideal start. I thought the defense played well all night, but that first drive kind of set the tone and force a punt. And then the offense was able to execute and move the ball fairly quickly on that first drive. That is huge for momentum,” Kingsbury said.
Concordia, following another Goodland punt, got the ball on its own 30-yard line.
Converting three times on third down, the Panthers went 70 yards in 15 plays.
Freshman Keyan Miller, on a third down and goal play from the Goodland 11-yard line, ripped off a touchdown run.
Reed threw to Chas Carlgren for the two-point conversion, and Concordia led 14-0 with 10:00 to play in the first half.
The two teams would exchange punts, and Goodland committed the first turnover of the game.
A lateral pass from quarterback Leyton Cure was fumbled, and Schroeder scooped up the ball and returned it for a touchdown.
During the return, the Panthers were called for a block in the back and got the ball on Cowboys’ 25-yard line.
Four plays later Schroeder scored on an 8-yard run that made it  20-0 game.
Schroeder carried 14 times for 76 yards and three touchdowns.
A second Goodland turnover would result in another Concordia touchdown just over a minute later.
Tanner Smith intercepted a Cure pass and returned it for a score.
Schroeder kicked the extra point to give the Panthers a 27-0 advantage.
“Those (turnovers) were really big. Our defense probably had its best outing. Anytime you can get a score on the defensive side of the football is huge, and we almost had two, which would have been remarkable,” Kingsbury said, “Guys are in the right spot, and a lot of that has to do with game planning. Coach (Ken) Meyer had a good game plan going in and we were able to execute it.”
Concordia would force a punt, and get the ball back.
Three Reed passes later, and the Panthers scored again.
Reed completed a 12-yard pass to Nick Vignery, a 5-yard strike to Miller and then a 43-yard touchdown pass to Miller.
The extra point by Schroeder put Concordia up 34-0 with 1:36 to play in the first half.
Reed completed 9 of 14 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
Miller had two catches for 47 yards. He also rushed for 100 yards on 13 carries.
Concordia got the ball to start the second half, but had to punt.
Goodland then turned it over for the third time on a fumbled handoff.
Taking over on the Cowboys’ 24-yard line, the Panthers scored four plays later.
Facing a fourth down and 10, Reed delivered a 24-yard touchdown pass to Chas Carlgren.
Schroeder kicked the extra point to make 41-0.
Forcing yet another Goodland punt, the Panthers got the ball back on their own 49-yard line.
Overcoming a holding penalty, Concordia would take seven plays to score on a 16-yard run by Schroeder, and it was 47-0.
There would be a running clock for the remainder of the game, and Concordia was able to get some the young players some varsity experience.
“Getting your young guys experience on a Friday, in a varsity setting, is huge for those guys moving forward,” Kingsbury said, “It was nice to have that running clock and to have those guys come in and do a nice job. I didn't think we really fell off.”
Goodland would get a 26-yard field goal by Norbert Cano on its final possession of the game.
Concordia finished with 330 yards of total offense, 207 rushing and 123 passing.

 

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