Second half lifts Titans in 62-38 win over Lancers

COLONY — It took Southern Coffey County High’s offense a while to get in gear, but the Titans rolled up plenty of points in response.
The Titans spotted host Crest High a 14-0 lead after one quarter before SCC erupted for 20 points in the second quarter, 14 in the third and 28 in the final period to roll to a 62-38 victory.
The victory lifts the Titans’ record to 3-5 on the season. Crest falls to 3-5.
More importantly, the win keeps Southern Coffey County alive for a potential playoff berth. The Titans are 2-1 in Kansas Eight Man II, Division 3. Crest falls to 1-3 in the same district and has been eliminated from postseason contention.
“The key in the game was the number of turnovers and penalties in inopportune times,” Lancer head coach Brent Smith said. “The Lancers played hard and fought. I’m very proud of the effort put forth.”
A pair of special teams miscues led to Crest’s early lead.
The Lancers scored first after a bad punt snap by SCC put the ball at the Titan 5. Rene Rodriguez capped the short drive for  a touchdown. The lead ballooned to 14-0 on a blocked punt by Codi Vermillion that Clayton Miller recovered in the end zone.
But a 69-yard run by the Titans’ Chism Newkirk broke open the floodgates.
Even though Crest responded to SCC’s first score with another touchdown — Evan Godderz found Austin Green for a 24-yard touchdown to push the lead briefly to 22-8 — the Titans were swift in their subsequent replies.
Southern Coffey County ripped off 34 straight points to lead 42-22 before Godderz and Green connected on another pass, this one covering 10 yards.
Walker Harred was the primary beneficiary, scoring five touchdowns, covering, 25, 10, 50, 3 and 5 yards.:
The Titans led 50-30 when Godderz and Green connected for a third time for 11 yards to cut Crest’s deficit to 12, 50-38.
But that was as close as the Lancers could get. The Titans scored twice in the game’s final minutes.
“They really were able to stick it to us at the start, but once we got on a roll, we were pretty hard to stop,” SCC head coach Korey Lankton said. “Jordan Edwards and Jack Loveall as guards really did a nice job of opening running lanes for Walker Harred.”
Harred rushed for 184 yards to lead SCC, followed by Newkirk with 75. The Titans rolled up 347 rushing yards and 418 yards of total offense. Newkirk completed 3 of 6 passes for 44 yards. Harred also completed a 27-yard pass. Josiah Witteman had 50 yards on three catches, and a touchdown. Tyler Houston added a 27-yard reception. Witteman also racked up 19 tackles on defense. Michael Hill added 11 stops. Harred recovered a fumble. Hunter Pankey and Houston pulled in interceptions.
Rodriguez rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown for Crest, while Godderz completed 12 of 30 passes for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Green had 88 yards on seven receptions. Kyler Bowen had 53 yards on three catches.
The Titans will host Waverly on Thursday.
“The important thing is we are still in control of our own destiny,” Lankton said. “But we need to win, obviously.”