Broncbuster football now fifth in the nation

Garden City, KS-Garden City’s 16-14 victory over No. 6 Hutchinson on Saturday at Gowan’s Stadium is having a ripple effect throughout the nation. 

The Broncbusters moved up seven spots to No. five in the latest NJCAA rankings released on Tuesday, their highest national ranking since September, 2002. 

“I will say it again: we are going 1-0 every week,” Head Coach Jeff Sims said. “Our most important game right now is Butler. We’re not worried about anything else.”

It’s Garden City’s first venture into the top five in 14 years. The Broncbusters were ranked No. 2 in the country on September 4, 2002. They came into that season at No. 4 in the preseason polls. 

The Broncbusters have beaten Ellsworth, Highland, Independence and nationally-ranked Hutchinson. The victory over the Blue Dragons was only their third over a ranked opponent in 15 years (Copiah Lincoln and No. 1 Butler were the others). 

There was also a change at the top. For the fourth straight week, the No. 1 team in the nation lost (Snow fell to Mesa 33-19). The new No. 1 team is 4-0 Arizona Western. Northwest Mississippi is No. 2 followed by Tyler and Lackawanna.

Former No. 2 Butler, who got hammered at Iowa Western, dropped 11 spots to No. 12. They face Garden City next Saturday at Broncbuster Stadium.