Broncbusters Football Defeated by No. 15 Dodge City

DODGE CITY, KS. – Fifth year head coach knew the team that would win the turnover battle would have massive edge in a big matchup in week six.

Dodge City’s defense shined on Saturday night, turning over Garden City three times.

The Garden City Broncbusters fell short against the No. 15 Dodge City Conquistadors, losing 33-10 at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City, Kansas. It was the first time Dodge City defeated Garden City since September 5th, 2015, as the Broncbusters suffered their fourth loss in the last five games.

It was a game played with great tempo in the first half, with Broncbusters wide receiver Keyon Brown returning the opening kickoff to the opposing 40-yard line. Five plays later, freshman Braxton Frey nailed a 41-yard field goal to give Garden City a 3-0 lead.

It was the first made field goal of the season for Frey, who missed the last three games due to an injury. The freshman from Manhattan had previously missed from 38 yards earlier in the season against Butler.

That would be the last time Garden City would hold the lead. Dodge City marched down the field on their opening drive, with quarterback Trey Jefferson taking a read option all the way to the GCCC 20-yard line, then scoring two plays later on a 10-yard TD run. 

The Broncbusters (2-4, 1-2 KJCCC) offense would fall flat from there. For the second straight week, the Garden City offense was stopped at the goal line on a failed QB run to open the second quarter. Dodge City’s defense would record two straight interceptions on the next two drives, including a 37-yard pick six by Bobby Arnold to make it a 14-3 lead.

Conquistadors’ running back Jalen Smith had a career night in the victory, and ignited his performance with a 37-yard TD run after a GCCC three-and-out, giving Dodge City (3-2, 3-0 KJCCC) a 21-3 advantage.

Garden City would find a response at the end of the half, with sophomore James Jones charging into the end zone for his team-leading sixth touchdown of the season. Jones finished with a season-low 48 yards on 11 carries in the defeat.

The second half was dominance from the Conquistadors, who held the Broncbusters offense to under 80 total yards. The Dodge offense would put the game away in the fourth quarter, with Jefferson connecting with Smith for his second touchdown of the night, making it 31-10.

Smith finished with 122 yards on 22 carries, adding 12 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Dodge would add a safety late on to finish the game off.

Garden City continues their three-game road trip next weekend at Emmot Field against the 2-3 Independence Pirates. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 P.M., listen live on KWKR 99.9 ‘The Rock’.