The Dodge City Red Demon defense knew that in order to stop the potent Manhattan offense, it would need to contain running back Ty Suggs. Unfortunately, Suggs proved to be untouchable Friday night.
The senior back ran the ball 23 times for 164 yards and six touchdowns as the Indians dismantled Dodge City 55-0 in the first round of the 6A playoffs.
For the Demons, it was a night filled with inconsistency on offense, which accounted for 82 total yards and zero third or fourth down conversions throughout the entire game.
The game had an inauspicious beginning for DCHS, as junior quarterback Taylor Murphy threw an interception on third down to set Manhattan up with excellent field position on the Demon 30-yard line.
Dodge would force the Indians to go for it twice for it on fourth down during that short drive, but the second conversion turned out to be a one-yard scoring plunge from Suggs, which wouldn’t be the first time.
On the ensuing possession, Dodge went three and out, a theme that became all too common throughout the contest.
With the Demons down seven and having to punt, the game shifted from bad to worse as Manhattan would scoop up the kick off the bounce and weave their way for a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown, beeming with confidence and a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter.
Burton from Manhattan would make it back-to-back heartbreaking drives for the Indians as he would connect on a 51-yard pitch and catch deep downfield on third and 20 to give the home team a dominant 21-0 lead with just over two minutes to go in the opening period.
With their backs against the wall, Dodge was forced to go for it on fourth down during their next possession, failing to pick up the first down and giving the ball to Manhattan on their own 40-yard line. Six plays later and Suggs was in for his second score of the night and a 28-0 lead.
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