Skies open up; Buffaloes with a thunderous statement–audio highlights
Audio Highlights: GCHS vs. Hays Highlights
Hays, Kan (westernkansasnews.com)-Buffaloes Head Coach Brian Hill called out his seniors on Thursday. What he was looking for: His team to come together. What he got was that and a whole lot more.
Greyson Tempel compiled 193 all-purpose yards and the Garden City defense forced three first-quarter turnovers in a 35-0, weather-shortened victory over fifth-raked Hays Friday night at Tiger Stadium.
“I’m so proud of these guys,” Hill said. “They were challenged and they responded in a big- time way.”
Trying to get his offense on track after running only 41 plays the week before against Great Bend, Hill pulled a rabbit out of his hat on the game’s opening possession.
Following a fumble by Preston Weigel that set the Buffaloes up in Hays territory, Garden City was faced with a fourth and 11 just across midfield when Tempel, who lined up as a punt protector on the play, took the direct snap and fired a bomb down the left sideline to Caleb Tramp, who beat Clayton Reidel for a 48-yard touchdown-giving the Buffs an early 7-0 lead.
The self infliction continued for the Indians on their next possession. After picking up a first down, Hays was faced with a third and six at their own 47, when junior quarterback Alex Delton, who’s being heavily recruited by several Division-I programs-including Kansas State, fumbled the football and Garden City recovered.
Five plays later Jared Koster punched it in from three yards out to make it 14-0 with 4:20 left in the first quarter.
“We played a kid that most people say is one of the best quarterbacks in the state and we made him look average,” Hill said. “Just an outstanding performance by our defense.”
That defense would make another big play on the Indians next possession. On first and 10 from their own 32, Delton unloaded a duck-that floated down the middle of the field and was intercepted by Emilio Parr. The main culprit: Pressure; Delton was hit as threw the ball.
When Tempel raced 25 yards to the end zone to make it 21-0 Buffaloes on their next possession, it completed one of the most stunning quarters of football all season long.
“I just can’t say enough about my coaching staff and these kids,” Hill said. “This was a whole-program effort tonight.”
In the second quarter, things went from bad to worse for Hays. Garden City’s Dustin Tempel returned a punt 65 yards to the end zone for a touchdown-extending the Buffaloes lead to 28-0.
It wouldn’t take long for Garden City to reach the end zone again, when, on their next possession, Tempel danced 67 yards off a read option to the house-giving the Buffs a 35-0 halftime lead.
“Greyson was outstanding again,” Hill said. “That’s the only way to put it.”
As the teams were walking out of the locker room for the second half, the skies opened up and a full-on down pour ensued. That would have made things very interesting in the second half. But it never happened because lighting delayed and eventually forced the game to be called after just two quarters.
“It was a decision that both sides agreed on,” said Hill, who’s teams are now 2-1 at Tiger stadium since he took over in 2010.
Next up: Garden City (2-2, 1-1) at Liberal (3-1, 1-1) 7 p.m. Friday, October 4 on KWKR 99.9 FM and westernkansasnews.com
Final Game Stats: GCHS vs. Hays Stats
