The Ellsworth Community College football team came up short on August 27 when they took on Dodge City in their home opener and suffered a 51-21 loss.

The Panthers kept it close in the beginning, with the first quarter ending 7-7. ECC scored with Jujuan Young-Battle scrambling for 18 yards and then hitting Jerry Jones with a pass for seven yards and finishing the play with a 59 yard pass to tie the game up.

Dodge City took off in the second quarter and the Panthers were unable to find an answer, ending the first half with the Panthers down 30 to 7. ECC's defense held Dodge City scoreless in the third quarter. Royce Peterson led the Panthers in tackles with 18, with 13 of those being solo tackles. Ryan Guthrie also had 13 tackles, 11 of those being solo, and also an interception that he ran in for 44 yards.

Both teams had more success in the fourth quarter, with the Panthers scoring two more touchdowns … but that wasn't enough to hold off Dodge City's three additional touchdowns.

Jerry Jones was the leading receiver for the Panthers with 148 yards.

The Panthers will host Coffeyville Community College on Saturday, Sept. 5, for their next home game. Kickoff will be at 7 pm.

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Photo caption: Quarterback Jujuan Young-Battle avoids the tackle looking for a pass.