Broncbusters picked second in conference preseason poll

Wichita, KS-Garden City was picked to finish second in the Jayhawk Conference in the 2018 preseason coach’s poll released on Friday during a press conference at Neuman University.

“We’ve got a lot of good players coming back, guys like Charles West and Dedrick Mills,” Broncbusters Head Coach Jeff Sims said. “But this conference is full of good coaches and players.”

Independence, who has gained notoriety with the school being featured on the third season of the Netflix series: Last Chance U, was selected to win the conference after claiming the crown in 2017.

“We are extremely committed to graduating, winning a championship and getting guys scholarships,” Sims said. “At this point, we are just ready to show up and give it everything we have in week one against Dodge City.”

Butler was picked third, followed by Hutchinson, Dodge City, Highland, Coffeyville and Fort Scott.

In 2017, the Broncbusters started 2-0 before dropping a heartbreaker at Independence in week three. The following game, Garden City’s fourth-quarter comeback vs. Hutchinson fell short when Jeffmario Brown sacked Terry Wilson on fourth down in the final minute. But Sims’ squad responded by winning five of their next six games before falling to Trinity Valley in the Heart of Texas Bowl, 48-41.

“I’m excited of what has happened over the last year,” Sims added. “We had a first-round draft pick back April. Mike Hughes just signed a $9.5 million contract. That’s what this thing is all about.”

Garden City opens the season Saturday, Sep. 1 at home vs. Dodge City.