BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

There were tears of joy and well-deserved fireworks on-and-off Memorial Field.

Great Bend 31, Buhler 6.

Ding-Dong, the wicked old streak is done. After 1,051 days, Great Bend's football team won a football game for the first time in three years.

"We wanted to see a celebration and a light show," said Great Bend coach Erin Beck. "Special teams, offense, defense, we controlled the game." 

Panther head coach Beck had a special offensive play waiting for Buhler's man-to-man defense.

Receiver Braylon Council burned Buhler with a perfect stop-and-go pattern on a 66-yard scoring reception from quarterback Cayden Scheuerman. Later on, Maddox Spray performed the exact same stop-and-go play on a perfectly executed 35-yard touchdown reception.

Coach Beck got the "ball-hawking" defense he wanted.

Spray intercepted a pass. Skyler McMullen and Andrew Trendel recovered Buhler fumbles. McMullen blocked a Buhler field goal attempt.

The Panthers who are juniors had never won a varsity football game their first two seasons.

"That's the greatest feeling for these kids," Beck said "It reminds you why we do this – to get to a moment like that and see the guys enjoy this. Daniel Nieto was crying knowing the game was in hand. I'm very happy for them. We focused on the game plan. It's an exciting feeling."

Tight end Colton Brack started the fireworks with a 5-yard touchdown reception. Council and Spray followed with touchdown receptions for a 21-0 halftime lead. Alex Galindo kicked a 27-yard field goal for a 24-0 lead.

The Panthers rolled up 215 yards rushing and Scheuerman passed for 223 yards. Braylon Council was spectacular with five receptions for 149 yards. Tailback Cody Miller scored on a dazzling 22-yard run for a 31-0 lead behind key blocks by Colton Brack and Matthew Johnson. Miller rushed for 129 yards.

"They see Braylon Council is electric," Beck said. "He doesn't get many opportunities because teams see what he can do. He's excited for his teammates. Cayden orchestrated the offense. He made the right checks. He put the football where we wanted it."

The defense stopped Buhler several times in scoring position with superb defense against Buhler's top receiver Matthew Eddy.

"Our defensive coaches put together a great game plan against Matthew Eddy," Beck said. "Tip of the cap to our defense tonight. They showed what they could do. We celebrated and had fun. We're excited and enjoy it."

The Panthers (1-2) travel to Wichita Southeast next week.

"For these kids to plug away, it propels us into next week and this season," Beck said. "That tells us about these young men. 

Buhler 0 0 0 6 – 6

Great Bend 7 14 10 0 – 31

GB–Colton Brack 5 pass from Cayden Scheuerman (Alex Galindo kick), 0:37; GB–Braylon Council 66 pass from Scheuerman (Galindo kick), 9:39; GB–Maddox Spray 35 pass from Scheuerman (Galindo kick), 1:47; GB–Galindo 27 FG, 5:06; GB–Cody Miller 22 run (Galindo kick), 2:40; B–Jeffrey O'Neill 6 run (kick blocked), 4:42

RUSHING–B–37-193; Gavin Patton 17-124; Brayden Gentry 5-31; Matthew Eddy 5-30; O'Neill 8-8; Mitchel McDaniel 2-0; GB–34-218; Miller 16-129; Scheuerman 11-72; Jace Schartz 5-14; Trey Milsap 1-3; Council 1-1; Kamon Stude 1-0

PASSING–B–O'Neill 7-16-1, 80; GB–Scheuerman 11-20-0, 223

RECEIVING–B–Eddy 4-34; Gentry 2-37; Patton 1-9; GB–Council 5-149; Spray 2-47; Miller 2-20; Brack 2-7