Potter-Dix Wins Shootout, 68-50

Potter-Dix's Coyote Football team is ranked number 2 in the Six-Man standings and has had little trouble with their competition early in the season. But they Coyotes had a true test on Friday as they traveled to Arthur to match up against the number 5 ranked Arthur County Wolves in an early-afternoon game.

Arthur County started fast and struck first with a 55 yard touchdown gallop by speedster Lance Vasa to give the Wolves an 8-to-0 lead. The Coyotes responded with a drive that featured miscues and penalties by Potter-Dix, but ultimately ended with a flare pass to senior Jared Anton, and he followed his blockers untouched into the end zone to tie the game at 8-to-8.

Arthur County started their next possession on their own 15 yard line, but after a 22 yard run by Knight Kramer, the Wolves were on the march and headed into scoring position. On a fourth and nine, quarterback Bryce Hanna found Kramer, and Kramer streaked down the field and dove into the end zone, with Potter-Dix senior Thomas Muldoon grabbing his legs and landing on top of him in the end zone. The extra point was missed, and the Wolves held a 14-to-8 lead.

Potter-Dix responded with junior Luke Kasten and Anton splitting the running duties and marching down the field. In scoring position, a third and nine shovel pass to Anton was fumbled, but Anton was able to regain control and ran past the Arthur County defenders for a touchdown , and the score was tied at 14-to-14 with 1:45 left in the first quarter.

Arthur County started their next possession near midfield, but the Coyote defense stiffened and forced a turnover on downs. Potter-Dix started with great field position, but then also turned the ball over on downs. The Wolves then got the ball back and Vasa again broke a big run, out-sprinting Luke Kasten down the sideline for a touchdown to give Arthur County a 22-to-14 lead.

Potter-Dix then started their next possession on the 15 yard line, but a big run by Luke Kasten and a touchdown saving diving tackle by Bryce Hanna, brought the Coyotes into the Wolves territory. The Coyotes moved the ball down into scoring position, although hampered by a series of false start penalties, and Kasten was able to run 10 yards around the end for a touchdown to tie the score 22-to-22. Potter-Dix was able to score two more touchdowns and took a 38-to-28 lead into the halftime.

In the second half, Arthur County was unable to get the stops they needed to close the gap on the Coyotes, and the Potter-Dix squad ended up scoring three more touchdowns than the Wolves, ending the game with a 68-to-50 victory. The matchup was a test for the Coyotes, as the Wolves have numerous offensive weapons that kept them in the game. But it was the Potter-Dix defense that turned the tide with four turnovers, and ultimately won the game for the Coyotes. Senior Thomas Muldoon had an outstanding all-around performance, catching a touchdown pass form quarterback Brayden Kasten to end the first half, and then catching another touchdown pass from Kasten to open the scoring the second half. Muldoon also had two interceptions and two passes defensed in the game.

Senior Jared Anton had his fourth 100 yard game of the season with 124 yards on 16 carries. He also caught two touchdown passes and returned a fumble for a touchdown late in the second quarter.

Junior Luke Kasten passed for 99 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 205 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

Brayden Kasten handled most of the quarterbacking duties in the game, and threw for 101 yards and five touchdowns.

Potter-Dix next hosts South Platte on Friday, Oct. 1.