Liberal (3-2, 1-1) at Great Bend (5-0, 2-0)

RADIO--104.3

VIDEO--youtube.com (GBHS Athletics)

BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Great Bend tight end/linebacker Kale Kern delivers a 2-way impact offensively and defensively for the 5-0 Panthers.

When Great Bend welcomes Liberal for Friday's football Homecoming game, Kern's focus as a Homecoming King candidate will be winning the football game.

Kern is the linchpin of the Panthers' offense that's averaging 221 yards passing and 170 yards rushing per game.

"There's no doubt this is the most fun I've had playing football," Kern said. "It's definitely fun knowing that that I can affect the game in so many different ways. That's fun to do something different."

At tight end, Kern shifts offensively, sometimes lining up outside to create space as a receiver, or going into motion from side-to-side.

"My motion depends on what type of call is made," he said. "Playing offense is fun knowing that I'm not doing the same thing."

Kern's edge blocking often dictates where tailback Cal Schartz (439 yards) finds his openings.

"I'm glad I get that responsibility," Kern said. "I'm glad that I can help all our running backs. It's a good feeling to know we can put a game away when we run the football."

Kern joins center Gavynn Maddox, guards Brady Mendez, and Josue Bustamante, and tackles Keeton Bray and Colby Spore in the offensive line.

"Our offensive line is a tight unit," he said. "We're a good group of friends and I'd say that definitely makes a difference."

Kern has scored three receiving touchdowns as a primary short-yardage option by quarterback Maxson Smiley, who has thrown for 1,050 yards.

"I'm glad that we got Maxson because we didn't know much about the quarterback position," he said.

Defensively, All-Western Athletic linebacker Kern is a big-play run stopper who has 37 tackles. The Panthers have yielded 298 yards per game.

"I feel like I can definitely raise my level on defense," he said. "As a unit, we're starting to minimize our mistakes and playing better."

Kern said the Panthers' key has been new players stepping up to the varsity level.

"Seeing our young guys step up has been amazing. It's somebody new every week," Kern said.

Kern knows there will be close games down the road.

"Our challenge is the same because we know we'll be facing good football teams," he said.