Cowboys Shut Out Lakin 30-0, Improve to 3-0 for First Time Since 2013

PHOTO CREDIT: Jackie Elliott

LAKIN — After finding dramatic ways to win each of their first two games, the Goodland Cowboys left little doubt in Week 3.

Goodland scored on its opening possession, forced turnovers on each of Lakin’s first two possessions and rolled to a 30-0 road victory over the Broncs on Friday night, improving to 3-0 for the first time since 2013.

The Cowboys set the tone immediately. Their first five combined offensive and defensive possessions produced a touchdown, fumble recovery, touchdown, another fumble recovery and another touchdown as Goodland quickly seized control.

“Great start to the game,” head coach Dax Ruhs said. “You just had to absolutely love how that got going.”

After struggling to consistently establish the run through the first two weeks, Goodland broke through in a big way against Lakin. The Cowboys piled up 264 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns on the ground, with four different players finding the end zone.

Trayvon Conger led the way with a career-high 119 rushing yards and scored the first touchdown of his varsity career.

“When your team gets going in the run, it’s so awesome to see,” Ruhs said. “It takes a lot of stress off my shoulders.”

While the offense found success on the ground, Goodland’s defense turned in its best statistical performance of the young season.

The Cowboys forced three turnovers and recorded their first shutout of the season while limiting Lakin to just 134 yards of total offense. The Broncs managed 121 yards rushing but were held to only 13 yards through the air.

Senior linebacker Ethan Horinek was a key part of Goodland’s success against Lakin’s bread-and-butter dive game, consistently filling running lanes in the middle of the Cowboy defense.

“I think our middle linebacker played really well and did a lot of filling some holes,” Ruhs said. “He did a great job tonight for us.”

It wasn’t a flawless performance for Goodland. After the fast start, the Cowboys were unable to maintain the same offensive rhythm and were hurt by turnovers and penalties. Goodland was flagged unofficially 13 times for 95 yards, something Ruhs said will need to be cleaned up moving forward.

“That’s too many,” Ruhs said. “Just little things to work on in practice.”

Still, Goodland controlled the game from beginning to end and completed its second road victory of the season with its first shutout.

Three weeks have now produced three very different victories for the Cowboys: a gritty 14-12 defensive battle at Cimarron, an improbable 26-point comeback against Burlington and now a 30-0 shutout at Lakin.

The result puts Goodland at 3-0 for the first time since 2013, continuing a strong start to Ruhs’ first season leading his alma mater.

The Cowboys will put their unbeaten record on the line next week when they travel to Holcomb.

Coach Dax Ruhs - Postgame at Lakin

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