The Panther football team fought till the last seconds in Saturday's homecoming game to take the game into overtime, but fell just short in a 36-30 loss to Dodge City Community College.
ECC put three points on the board in the first quarter with a 33-yard field goal by Jack Lemke, while Dodge City racked up two touchdowns in the first half to take a 12-3 lead. The Panthers came back in the third quarter to score their first touchdown on a 68-yard run by Tekendrick Roberson, followed by Lemke scoring 6 additional points for ECC with two field goals from 25-yards and 32-yards.
Dodge City also scored two touchdowns in the 3rd quarter and another touchdown and 2 point conversion in the fourth. ECC's 23-yard touchdown catch from Paris Chambers to Ben Rooney and 8-yard touchdown run by Chambers weren't enough to catch Dodge City in the end.
Chambers threw for a total of 389 yards in the game with one touchdown. He also rushed for 96 yards. Roberson followed in rushing with 84 yards. Rooney was leading receiver with 130 yards and one touchdown, followed by Drew Greenhaw with 126 yards.
Lemke connected on 3 of 3 extra points as well as 3 field goals. Isaiah Thomas was leading returner with 81 yards.
Panther defense was led by Javonte Arius, Brandon Doyle and Jahid Beamon, who each had nine tackles. Arius and Beamon each had six solo tackles. Doyle also contributed with an interception in the game.
Demetrius Caddell and Isaiah Childs each forced a fumble on defense.
The Panthers will be off this week, returning to play on Saturday, Sept. 30, when they host College of DuPage at 1 pm.
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Photo Caption: Paris Chambers with the hand off to Tekendrick Roberson.
