Buffs defense plays lights out in shutout win over East
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Wichita, KS-There has not been many things that Garden City Coach Brian Hill hasn’t seen; that was until Friday.
It was the first time he had ever seen an opposing team use five different quarterbacks.
“Yeah that’s definitely a first,” Hill said with a smile. “It was a challenge because each guy did something different.”
In the end, it did not matter much, and despite a slow start, Garrett Doll threw three touchdown passes, all to wide receiver Andrew Kreutzer as the Buffaloes shutout the Blue Aces 24-0 at Carpenter Stadium.
“There are a lot of things to correct,” Hill said. “But I thought Garret played outstanding.”
Doll shined despite behind under heavy duress for most of the night. His three touchdown passes were the most in a game for a Buffalo quarterback since Jesse Nunez threw three in the opener in 2016 vs. Wichita East.
While Garden City (1-0, 0-0) picked up only six first downs all game, their defense limited Wichita East (0-1, 0-0) to just three and 87 total yards. In fact, the Blue Aces had more penalty yards (94) than total offense.
“Our defense was fantastic,” Hill said. “Coach (Dominick) Dingle does such a great job with that group.”
Neither team did much in the first 12 minutes. In fact, the Buffaloes had minus-10 yards of offense in the first quarter. But on the first play of the second, they got things right, and Doll connected with Kreutzer for a 25-yard score on a screen pass to the left. Uciph McDaniel blocked Anthony Flores’s extra point, and the Buffaloes had a 6-0 lead.
“Andrew was unbelievable tonight,” Hill said. “To do what he did was great, and we definitely needed it.”
The senior’s night was just beginning. Following a muffed kickoff by McDaniel, which the Buffaloes recovered at the Wichita East 13, Doll went back to his favorite target—this time on a slant for a 13-yard touchdown and a 14-0 advantage with 11:52 to play in the half.
“We didn’t capitalize on a lot of opportunities tonight,” Hill explained. “But we did there.”
Hill was eluding to a goal-to-go situation in the first period after Ethan Crone recovered Blazer Snell’s fumble at the Blue Aces’ 4. But McDaniel’s sack on third down, and Doll’s incomplete pass to Derrick Sexton on fourth gave the ball back to Wichita East.
“You could tell there were nerves with some of our guys tonight,” Hill said. “But I’d much rather correct things after a win.”
Garden City was afforded another scoring chance midway through the second period when Wichita East running back Anton Austin was stonewalled by Jasper Partin on fourth down near midfield. Three plays later, Doll found Jordan Herrman on a post for 39 yards down to the 9. But the drive short-circuited when Doll fumbled the ball at the 2 before Demarcus Elliott recovered it back at the 11. Flores then came on and nailed a 28-yard field goal to extend the Buffaloes lead to 17-0 with 2:16 left until halftime.
“The score could have been much different if we converted there,” Hill said. “We have to be able to punch those in.”
While the offense sputtered a bit, the defense was lights out. Only twice did the Blue Aces cross midfield.
“I think we have the most talented defensive line in my time here,” Hill said.”
The line was impressive, but sophomore defensive back Carlos Acosta, making his first varsity start, stole the show with two interceptions.
“He’s only a sophomore and he played so fundamentally sound,” Hill said. “He turned his hips correctly, and made the proper read.”
Garden City’s final score came in the fourth quarter, when Doll engineered a seven-play, 75-yard drive, which he capped with a 12-yard scoring toss to Kreutzer for a 24-0 advantage.
“We knew Garrett would make some mistakes,” Hill said. “But he also opens up our passing game. He made some great throws tonight.”
The only eye sore for the Buffaloes was their ground attach, which produced minus-10 yards; the fewest in game in Hill’s eight seasons.
“We have to correct some things on the offensive line,” Hill said. “Garrett took some big shots, and we could never get the running game going.”
Notes: The Buffaloes improved to 8-0 lifetime vs. Wichita East and 4-0 at Carpenter Stadium…Garden City won the game despite the Blue Aces running more plays (49-48) and losing the time of possession (28:06 to 19:54)…The two teams were a combined 6-of-26 on third down…The Buffaloes fumbled four times, losing only one…Garden City forced five turnovers; it’s the second time in their last three games that they’ve accomplished that feat (forced five vs. Wichita East in the 2016 playoff opener)
Next up: Garden City vs. Castle View-Friday, Sept 8-6:30 p.m. pregame; 7 p.m. kick on 99.9 FM; westernkansasenws.com/kwkr and KWKR mobile app
