Garden City Buffaloes fall to Manhattan Indians in opener 21-6.

Garden City 

The Garden City Buffaloes fell to the Manhattan Indians 21-6 in the season opener last Friday. A delay due to a severe thunderstorm delayed the start of the game from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The Buffaloes struggled on offense all night, not scoring their 1st touchdown until late in the 4th quarter off of a 20yd touchdown pass from JR. Quarterback Caleb Wiese to SR wide receiver Caleb Metzen.

For the Buffaloes offense, mistakes were a problem throughout the night. Miscommunications on snaps and false start penalties were an issue throughout the game. Manhattan struggled with several false start penalties throughout the night as well. The Buffaloes defense had a better showing with 2 forced turnovers and allowed only 7 points in the 1st half.

However, allowing big plays from Indians Quarterback Keenan Schartz who had 2 rushing TDs seemed to do them in. Schartz had a 56 yd rush in the 1st quarter that set up a 1yd rushing TD on a QB sneak. Schartz then had a 92yd touchdown rush in the 4th quarter to put the game out of reach.

The play of the game for the Buffalo defense may have been an interception by CB Ryan Heiman in the 2nd quarter where he snagged the pass off a 50/50 ball against Indian’s,  number 1 returning reception leader receiver Joe Hall. The Buffaloes also forced a fumble when Cooper Ramsey hit Indians HB Vinny Smith after an ill-advised pitch made by Schartz.

Garden City Head Coach Brian Hill spoke after the game saying that the”bottom line is we physically got beat upfront on both sides of the ball”. He also added that “guys were blocking guys that they knew they weren’t supposed to”. Although Hill was happier with how the game ended saying that ” I am glad that we finished on a good note”.

The result was a disappointing one for the Buffaloes who brought back several starters on both sides of the ball from a team that went 3-6 a year ago, but was only 16 combined points in 3 games away from going 6-3. The Buffaloes hope to carry their 4th quarter offensive momentum into their game on the road against Hutchinson next week.