Dodge City Defeats Red Ravens 26-17 in Home Opener

Coffeyville, Kan. - The 2023 Coffeyville Community College Red Raven Football Team lost in their season opener last week in a road loss against Highland Community College and was looking to come home to Veterans Memorial Stadium to garner their first win of the season.  The Conquistadors of Dodge City Community College put a big wrench in that plan as the Conquistadors defeated the Red Ravens 26-17 in Coffeyville's 2023 home opener.  With the loss, the Red Ravens fell to 0-2 on the season with both losses being Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) losses.

On the night, the Red Ravens struggled offensively with Dodge City (416 yards of total offense) outgaining Coffeyville (416 yards) by almost double.  Dodge City also had more first downs (19 to 13) as well as a higher gain per play with Dodge City averaging 6.7 yards per play to Coffeyville's 3.2 yards.

However, even with those offensive struggles, the Ravens had their chances in the second half.  Heading into the fourth quarter, Coffeyville was trailing the Conquistadors by ten 20-10, when barely a minute into the quarter, Red Raven sophomore defensive back Jabari Tillman jumped a Dodge City receiver's route and was able to intercept the pass for a house call into the end zone.  The defensive touchdown pulled the Ravens to within three points at 20-17 at the 13:58 mark of the fourth quarter.  

The two teams battled back and forth until Dodge City's sophomore running back Stone Wilson broke off a 19-yard touchdown run (extra point failed) with 4:20 remaining in the game to give the Conquistadors a nine-point advantage at 26-17.  Coffeyville was not able to gain traction with another score and the contest ended with a final score of 26-17 in Dodge City's advantage.

Coffeyville's game leaders included sophomore quarterback Connor Apo who went 16-25 for 146 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, sophomore running back Ozarrion Smith who rushed nine times for 59 yards, and wide receiving Joseph Young who hauled in five passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.  Defensively, the Ravens were led by sophomore defensive back Adrian Patterson who had seven solo tackles and an assisted tackle along with a pass breakup, and by Red Raven sophomore defensive lineman Kyle Bryant who racked up 2.5 sacks in the game. 

Next up for Coffeyville will be a road game just up the road to Independence to battle their old foes, the Pirates of Independence Community College.  The Montgomery County KJCCC matchup is set for Saturday, September 9th. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Independence Kansas.