When it comes to rivalries, the game is a must-see in the community regardless of the records of the two teams. The Ulysses Tigers and the Scott City Beavers have that type of rivalry.
“The series dates back a long time,” Scott City coach Glenn O’Neil said. “Both teams could be 0-5, and it would still be a big game on the calendar.”
Well, these two teams aren’t 0-5. Instead, Class 3A's third-ranked Scott City Beavers will travel to face 4A’s fourth-ranked Tigers in a battle of unbeatens. In fact, the readers of Kpreps.com have voted Friday night’s Greater West Activities Conference clash the statewide game of the week.
“It will be two good teams,” Ulysses coach Jason Kenny said. “I’m expecting a big crowd. It should be a lot of fun.”
There’s no doubt that it will be two good teams butting heads. Ulysses is averaging 39.8 points, while Scott City is putting up 42.4 points per game.
If the Beavers win, they will clinch the conference title with a 5-0 league record. If the Tigers are victorious, they will take the lead league at 3-0 but will still have to face Holcomb and Hugoton.
Both teams possess quality skill players. Ulysses is led by quarterback Braden Langston, running backs Armando Sandoval and Josh Jarnagin and wide receiver Chase Newell. Langston has passed for about 750 yards, while Newell has been the main target with about 400 yards receiving. Sandoval has rushed for more than 300 yards, and Jarnagin has picked up about 250 rushing yards.
“Langston has a strong arm, and Newell is a big target,” O’Neil said. “They can make big plays. They got weapons all over. Everybody has to do their assignments.”
The Beavers also have plenty of weapons. Scott City’s running game boasts 6-1, 200-pound fullback Colburn Couchman (436 yards, seven TDs), 5-9, 190-pound Dalton Buehler (417 yards, eight TDs) and 5-7, 170-pound Dalton Smith (201 yards, five TDs). Quarterback Brett O’Neil keeps defenses honest, passing for 640 yards and six touchdowns.
“Scott City is extremely talented,” Kenny said. “We play them every year, and this is the best Scott City team I’ve seen in the 12 years I’ve coached against them. Usually you can look at game film and every team is hiding somebody. I look at their game film, and I can’t see any weaknesses.”
Ulysses also boasts a solid, all-around team. However, if you had to point to one weakness it may the Tigers’ relative inexperience on the offensive line. And they will have their hands full against a strong Scott City defensive front.
Defensive ends Couchman, who has six sacks on the season, and Luke Hayes (6-4, 255) will try to limit the Tigers’ ability to throw deep down field and disrupt their sweep in the running game.
“I think our play up front is a huge key,” Kenny said. “They will be an awfully difficult team. On defense, we’re going to have to play fast and get good pursuit angles.”
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