By Marissa VanWingen
Ellsworth Community College defeated Dodge City Community College 21-13 for a homecoming win, the first on the Panthers home turf since 2023.
ECC (3-4) scored first after the defense forced a three and out on Dodge City’s first offensive possession. The Panthers steadily moved the ball down field, eating up 75 yards. With Armoud Seals at quarterback, the sophomore from signal caller hit Kaleb Ngwendson with an over the shoulder catch in the end zone for the 7-0 advantage.
That would be the only scoring the rest of the half. ECC left points on the board late in the second quarter. After Dorius Smith nabbed an interception in the end zone, the hosts moved all the down to the Conquistador 18 before Seals was picked off at the goal line.
The visitors evened the score in the third period on a 55-yard pass with 6:36 left in the period. The home team had two more opportunities to score, but did not convert on a fourth down and six inside the 25, then missed a field goal to start the fourth period.
After another Panther defensive turnover, a Nevin Poppy interception, ECC got the ball on Dodge City’s (1-6) side of the field. Deandre Rutherford ran four of the five plays, including the seven-yard touchdown scamper to give the hosts the 14-7 boost with 10:41 left in the game. He returned to the lineup and finished with 121 yards rushing.
The ensuing Conquistador kickoff was returned 90 yards to pay dirt and looked to take the wind out of ECC’s sails, but the point after was blocked to keep the one-point advantage.
The hosts added to the lead with three minutes left to go. Landen Mickelson was in at quarterback and hit a wide open Nick Stevenson for six and the extra point made it 21-13.
Dodge City had a chance to come back, but Jalen Riley’s pick sealed the victory.
For more photos from the game and from homecoming, visit https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fgallery%2f&c=E,1,NQlXd1hSXRfFoM7yd5oBGo73dnQxHYIiEvLE9XuiJNY6rUbu6ms9EevBLARBC1cmQW0Bs4dxFqD8ZgQyQkF-AxSCb31Fb7uX_SR-Ym2cmkCQS30sVm8pDF0SGg,,&typo=1
Ellsworth 21, Dodge City 13
Saturday at Iowa Falls
DCCC: 0| 0| 7| 6 – 13
ECC: 7| 0| 0| 14 – 21
Scoring Summary:
First Quarter:
ECC: 8:21 Armoud Seals 5 yd pass to Kaleb Ngwendson (Ben Denton PAT)
Third Quarter:
DC: 6:35 Edwin Merriweather III 55 yd pass to Mahki Whitney (PAT)
Fourth Quarter:
ECC: 10:21 Deandre Rutherford 7 yd run (Denton PAT)
DC: 10:27 Carson Spoonts 90 yd kick return (PAT blocked)
ECC: 3:05 Landen Mickelson 21 yd pass to Nick Stevenson (Denton PAT)
ECC Stats:
Passing: Armoud Seals 7-13 106 yds, TD; Landen Mickelson 5-7 68 yds, TD; Drew Paulakovich 4-14 54 yds.
Rushing: Deandre Rutherford 23-121 yds, TD; Seals 6-42 yds; Tyvon Cade 4-12 yds; Paulakovich 4-4 yds; Mickelson 4-1 yd; Jayden Davison 2-(-7) yds.
Receiving: Nick Stevenson 5-72 yds, TD; Donte Ferrell 5-46 yds; Shane Helmick 2-19 yds; Jesse Abruscati 3-13 yds; Rutherford 1-11 yds; Kaleb Ngwendson 1-6 yds, TD; Omarion Lewis 1-5 yds.
Tackles: Nevin Poppy 9; Vsani Scott 8; Jamir Brown 7; DeShawn Ricks 6.
