Four buffs ink with GCCC; one headed to Hutch
Garden City, KS (westernkansasnews.com)-Brian Hill will always tell you that the most rewarding part about his job isn’t the wins and notoriety. It’s getting the guys that he and his staff have molded to the next level.
Mission accomplished on national signing day.
On Wednesday, Hill looked on as five of his players signed national letters of intent. Running back Ethan Yardley, linebacker Nalen Rincones and offensive lineman Alex Frey and Edgar Guzman signed to play at Garden City Community College. Defensive back Gabe Otero inked with Hutchinson.
In all it was a pretty successful day.
“It’s a joy to watch these guys go on and play the next level,” Hill said. “Only a select few get to play college football.”
Guzman might be the biggest prize of the bunch. The two-year starter was named to the all-conference team as a senior and was an honorable-mention all-stater.
“He was our most consistent lineman throughout the season,” Hill said. “He’s the one guy that is ready to contribute for a college team right away.”
Frey struggled to stay on the field at times, battling a torn labrum his junior year and a broken hand during his final campaign. But Frey is your prototypical lineman, standing 6’5 and tipping the scales at 270.
“Alex has a bright future,” Hill added. “With all the injuries, he never had a full season in the weight room.”
Yardley became one of Garden City’s most dangerous weapons during his senor season. He moved from tailback to the slot, and the transition paid dividends. He had three rushing touchdowns and caught 10 balls for 135 yards and a score. But the most explosive part of his game is on special teams, an area that Broncbusters’ Coach Jeff Sims fully plans to utilize.
“He (Sims) told me I would be returning punts,” Yardley said.
Rincones completed one of the best four-year runs at linebacker in school history. He ranks third all-time in tackles, registering 62 stops his senior season before missing the final game with a broken foot. Still, he was an honorable mention all-state selection and is planning on playing in the 2016 Shrine Bowl.
As for Otero, injuries could have easily derailed what was expected to be a promising senior season. He broke his hand early in the year and missed five games. He never cracked the starting lineup again but he proved towards the end of his junior season that his best football may well be in front of him.
