Charles Chaney
Sports Editor
A lot has changed in a year. Butler fell in a scoring drought last season. Almost a year to the day, the Grizzlies showed their scoring power en route to a 24-10 victory over No. 15 Dodge City on Saturday, Sept. 23 despite the 30 mph winds.
“Everyone brings up how young we were last year,” Head Coach Tim Schaffner said. “Our issues last year have turned into strengths this season.”
With no running back Kevon Abrams because of an injury, the Grizzlies used multiple running backs as sophomore Keshaun McGaugh led the Grizzlies in rushing with 55 yards on 18 carries. Freshman Vinnie Shabazz capped the game off with a 17-yard run, putting Butler up for good with 1:12 left in the fourth quarter.
“Coach gave me an opportunity,” McGaugh said. “I didn’t want to let him down. I just went out and did what I do best.”
The Grizzlies used the wind to their advantage, using precise punting by sophomore Gerrit Prince, including a 55-yard punt in the first quarter, followed by a 54-yard punt, inning the Conquistadors deep in their own territory.
Sophomore Luke Winter struck home first, nailing a 44-yard field goal with 6:56 left in the first, giving Butler a 3-0 lead.
After Dodge City took a 7-3 lead, sophomore Chris Helbig marched down the field, leading to a Brady Rust six-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds left in the half.
Butler scored first in the second half, Helbig’s found Prince on the fade route in the left corner, putting Butler up 17-7 with 5:21 left in the quarter.
Then, it was McGaugh who went to work. When Jaua Daniels went out with a shoulder injury and Isaiah Truss going in and out with injuries, McGaugh took the ball, pounding it up the middle, to the outside and all over the Conquistador’s defense.
“I didn’t give him much of a chance,” Schaffner said. “He [McGaugh] really proved himself today.”
The rest of the work was done by the stifling Grizzlies defense.
The defense only allowed 184 yards all afternoon long. They forced Dodge to only one first down in 13 tries, and they forced a fumble recovery and recorded nine sacks.
Dodge City’s Caden Walters, who was composed during last year’s win over Butler, ran for his life as carried it 11 times for only 17 yards. He completed only 6-of-23 passing for a career low 51 yards. It is only the third time since 2012 Dodge City has been held under 100 yards passing.
“They are good on defense,” Dodge City Head Coach Gary Thomas said. “They have been good on defense for a long time.”
With the victory, Butler now has won 10 straight at Dodge City.
The Grizzlies hosted the defending National Champions, Garden City (2-2) at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex on Saturday, Sept. 30. Then, they travel north to Highland (2-2) to take on the Scotties on Saturday, Oct. 6.
