The Dodge City wrestling team's schedule started out with one of their toughest opponents. The Demons faced Western Athletic Conference rival the Great Bend Panthers on Thursday in Dodge City. The Panthers took a big lead early and the Demons could not catch up. Great Bend took down the Demons 51-15.
The dual opened with 106 pound weight class. A Great Bend pin and six points for Dodge City due to an open 113-pound weight class tied up the score at six. Demon Jaquan Graves fell after a close battle with the Panthers' Cody Liles and one of the biggest bouts of the night followed. Dodge City freshman Clay Weil brought a 3-1 record into his 126-pound bout against three-time state placer and 2011 state champion, Chris Burley. Weil stayed within three points until 36 seconds remained. The third period ended with a devastating pin and the Panthers were ahead 16-6. Two bouts later the Red Demons got a momentum boost from two-time state placer and 2012 USA preseason All-American Dane Edwards. His opponent, Greg Burley, placed third at the 5A state tournament last year but could not handle Edwards’ quick strikes. After an Edwards 4-2 victory the Red Demons seemed back on track. Corey Keller added a pin to the Demons' scoreboard but Dodge City still fell to the Panthers 51-15.
