Broncbuster football lands back in the polls

Garden City, KS (westernkansasnews.com)-For the first time in three years, Garden City has caught the eye of the national voters. 

Garden City is ranked 14th in the first regular-season national poll released on Tuesday. It’s their highest ranking since they came in No. 12 on September 3, 2013.  

“It is what is, but I’ll tell you this: that game vs. Highland is one we would have lost last year,” Sims said. “So I’m pleased in that regard. But all it tells me is that we have a lot of work to do. We need to play much better this week vs. Independence.”

Garden City survived a scare from a Highland team that just knocked off preseason No. 8 Dodge City the week before. The Broncbusters stuffed the Scotties twice inside the red zone in the final five minutes, includinig Jeremy Faulk‘s critical fourth-down stop that put the game away with 1:21 to go. 

The Broncbusters, who were picked to finish sixth in the Jayhawk Conference, are 2-0 for the first time since 2012. They’re allowing just 128 yards per game through their first two outings, which is 13th best in the nation. 

Former No. 1 East Mississippi lost to Jones County last week, shaking up the top 20. They dropped to No. 12. Trinity Valley is the new top team, followed by Snow, Butler and Copiah-Lincoln. Dodge City, who received their highest preseason ranking in program history, dropped from 8th to 19th after their week one loss at Highland. 

Garden City is back home on Saturday vs. Independence. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.