Grizzlies Shut Out Conquistadors in 2nd Half, Move to 5-0 in Conference Play

EL DORADO, Kan. – The Butler Grizzly defense shut out Dodge City in the second half on the way to a 28-14 Jayhawk Conference win on Saturday evening at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.

Butler (6-3, 5-0 KJCCC) clinches a share of the KJCCC title with the win. With a win over Coffeyville at home on Nov. 23rd, the Grizzlies would be outright conference champions.

"I told the team after the game, we'll enjoy this but we aren't trying to share this thing, (KJCCC title)," said head coach Brice Vignery. "We'll enjoy it tonight but get back to work tomorrow."

Click here to view head coach Brice Vignery and players Cooper Hajek and Javoris Havis' postgame press conference.

The win also marked Butler's first true home win of the season, (Garden City loss changed to forfeit win for Butler). "Its just good to see our kids have success at home," said Vignery. "There were a lot of guys that made plays that aren't quote on quote feature guys. That's just the evolution of our program and how we are developing players and getting them to believe in what we are doing."

Their first drive of the game for Butler resulted in a touchdown, going just 29 yards following a 20-yard Dodge City punt from their own nine. Butler quarterback Mason McHugh completed a 14-yard pass to wide receiver Justin Stephens and a seven yard pass to wide receiver Nolan Chambers before wide receiver turned running back DeAndre Beasley scampered in for a five yard touchdown to make it 7-0.

Just four minutes later the Grizzlies took a 14-0 lead with the special teams unit getting in on the action. Dodge City set up for a punt from their own eight yard line but Grizzly linebacker Jaxson Bowles, a Manhattan native, made a push up front and blocked the kick. Defensive back and Andale native Tegan Orth fell on it in the end zone for the touchdown.

Dodge City got on the scoreboard with 16 seconds left in the first quarter as cornerback Amarian Louis jumped a route picking off McHugh and returning it 45 yards for a pick-six.

Butler immediately responded with a 14-play, 84-yard drive that resulted in McHugh finding Chambers in the flat. Chambers proceeded to shrug three Conquistador defenders off him on the way to a 23-yard touchdown that saw Butler go ahead 21-7 with 8:53 until halftime.

Dodge City scored for the last time in the game on the ensuing drive. Running back Stone Wilson scampered 34 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-14. Wilson finished with 168 rushing yards and a touchdown on 29 carries.

The Grizzly defense held the Conqs off the board in the second half. They blocked a field goal (Mark Debiak), forced two turnovers on downs and forced two punts. On the game Butler allowed just 199 total yards of offense holding Dodge City to 12 first downs and 23 yards passing. The Conqs were 3-of-14 (21%) on third down

Linebacker Gabe Welch, an Arkansas City native, led the way with 11 tackles and half a sack. The Kansas trio of Kenton Simmons (Lawrence), Landon Boss (Osage City) and Kainen White (Coffeyville) all contributed seven tackles with Simmons having 1.5 sacks and Boss adding a sack of his own.

The game sealing score came late in the fourth quarter with 1:47 remaining in the game. Running back Javoris Havis came in the game after not playing since the frst quarter and on first down broke multiple tackles for an impressive 19-yard rush. Just two plays later he took a carry up the middle for a 30-yard touchdown making it 28-14.

Havis led Butler rushing with seven carries for 60 yards and the touchdown. Beasley had 14 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown. McHugh was 15-of-23 through the air for 129 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Chambers was Butler's leading receiver with four catches for 42 yards and the score. Kicker Aidan Battle was 4-4 on extra points.

Butler is home this coming week hosting Iowa Central at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex in a non-conference game. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed at ButlerGrizzlies.com/WatchLive or on the BCTV+ mobile app. The 'Voice of the Grizzlies' Dennis Higgins will bring the game to fans on 98.7FM and 1330AM, KNSS.