After an impressive first drive that resulted in a touchdown, Atchison’s offense could not find its footing Friday against Perry-Lecompton.

The Kaws responded with three touchdowns of their own before the night was over, and the Redmen dropped their second-straight 21-7 at Amelia Earhart Stadium.

“We’re putting good drives together and not finishing,” said coach Jim Smith, whose team fell to 1-3. “Defensively, it’s a play here or a play there that shoots us in the foot. We need to get those things corrected and take care of the ball.”

As with their last game, the Redmen started off well but lost all their momentum.

Atchison put together an eight-play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by a 27- yard touchdown pass from Charlie Schneider to Devon Ochoa on a fade route.

Even when Perry-Lecompton — which did not commit a turnover on the night — responded with a nine-play drive and a 4-yard touchdown run by quarterback Shane Gimzo, the Redmen still appeared in control.

But Atchison committed two turnovers before halftime, including a crucial fumble on Perry-Lecompton’s 20-yard line with five minutes left in the second that led to another Gimzo TD — not to mention full momentum for the Kaws.

Perry-Lecompton carried the momentum into the second half, collecting one more interception and adding one more Gimzo touchdown run to seal the victory. Atchison was hampered by an injury to senior tailback Kyle

Downing, who went out early in the third quarter with a knee injury, returned only on defense.

“We got inside the 20 twice and came away with nothing. It’s frustrating,” said Smith, whose team will try and fix its bugs before Friday’s game at St. Mary’s-Colgan in Pittsburg. “It’s just the little things.”

Atchison Globe sports editor Hank Layton can be reached at hanklayton@npgco.com