Defense shines, Offense rolls as Garden City takes down Wichita West
Garden City, Kan (WesternKansasNews.Com) – Coming into the week Garden City Head Coach Brian Hill talked about winning and its impact on culture. “Winning one or two games is one thing, but learning how to win each week when you have the target on your back is another,” Hill said about his teams then a 2-0 start to the season.
The Buffaloes took another step in that direction on Friday night at Friends University. The defense forced five turnovers vs. the pioneers and started the game by scoring the first two touchdowns of the game for Garden City. First, with 11:03 left in the 1st quarter Senior Colin Kleystuber forced a fumble that senior Rex Crotts picked up and rumbled 8 yards for a score. Then on the next Pioneers drive, Carter Ramsey grabbed an interception and raced it back 62 yards to the endzone. Garden City had 12 points on defense before the offense had to even touch the field. “Success breeds success, sometimes it’s contagious you know guys want their name called they want to get their hand on the ball, this is the best defensive unit I’ve had in 13 years here,” Hill said about his defense’s performance.
After the defense got things rolling the Buff’s offense did the rest. 4 TD’s for RB Zack Keosengphet and a 63-yard bomb from the arm of Caleb Wiese to WR Jerry Arteaga was all Garden City needed through the first half. From that point on as Garden City took a 49-0 lead into the half, it was a running clock from Wichita. “It was nice to throw the ball a little to the outside and get that deep shot to Jerry, gave us an opportunity to show people that we can do more than just run the ball,” Hill said about the offensive performance.
Garden City was able to stay healthy through the contest as well which will be very important as the main stretch of the schedule begins with a matchup vs. Hays on Friday, the (2-1) Indians who just lost their first game of the season 31-21 vs. #1 ranked 6A Manhattan. After outscoring their opponents 162-32 in their first three games the Buffaloes will need to continue that momentum as WAC play starts off vs. Hays. “They’ve come out and played a more physical schedule to start the season than we have, we know that but can’t change that. We just have to come out this week and practice hard then come out and be ready for a dogfight come Friday night,” Hill added about the looming matchup with the Indians.
Regardless of an opponent through three weeks, Garden City has shown that they earned each win. The defense has been tough scoring 6 touchdowns and the offense looks in sync in its second year of the Flexbone offense. The sky will be the limit for the Buffaloes the rest of the way but that will be tested as Hays comes to Garden City Friday night with kickoff at 7 pm from Buffalo Stadium.
