Great Bend (3-0) at Buhler (2-1)
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BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Great Bend's 5-9, 170-pound tailback Cal Schartz appreciates his young teammates in the trenches ahead of a road trip to Buhler (2-1) Friday.
Schartz has rushed for 366 yards and scored six touchdowns for Great Bend. The Panthers (3-0) average 200 yards rushing and 175 yards passing.
Schartz believes center Gavynn Maddox, guards Brady Mendez and Josue Bustamante and tackles Keeton Bray and Colby Spore are the heart and soul of the Panthers' offense.
"They've just done a terrific job like last week's Garden City drive when they took control and sealed the game," Schartz said. "Other than a block here and there, they've played great. Most times there's a gap where it should be almost every time."
H-back Kale Kern is another key blocker.
"Having Kale back there is great," he said. "He's a great lead blocker, the best. I'm watching Kale and cutting off his blocks. It's amazing how well that works."
He's thankful and appreciative to get an opportunity to compete on Friday nights. Schartz runs with a fearless passion that illustrates why he's a state-caliber wrestler during the winter.
"You work hard for an opportunity to be the guy in the backfield," he said. "When you come through, this is a dream come true. It starts with working all summer lifting (weights) and running several times a week. It's great to see all that hard work pay off."
Schartz said the Panthers learned a lot by being challenged by Garden City in a 28-21 victory last week.
"We made a couple big plays and that's really what it boiled down to," he said. "We gave up a few big plays, and hopefully we can prevent that. We struggled at times, and we'll learn from our mistakes."
Defensively, Schartz plays a weak side linebacker spot. Schartz is mindful what safety Cooper Ohnmacht calls out for his primary defensive look.
He's aware of outside containment and keys the offensive line and a receiver to pick up the type of play heading his way.
"I have to set the edge," he said. "So far, I've played run heavy, but I still have a pretty big job in coverage. On my side, there might be a single receiver my way."
Buhler tailback Landon Martinez has rushed for 387 yards and six touchdowns. Quarterback Asher Zachary has passed for 255 yards and Garrett Gleason has 180 yards receiving. The Crusaders average 198 yards rushing and 85 yards passing.
"Buhler is mostly run heavy, but they'll throw the ball too," Schartz said.
PANTHER OFFENSE—1—Cal Schartz, RB; 2—Cooper Ohnmacht, WR; 5—Maxson Smiley, QB; 7—Kale Kern, TE; 13—Alec Premer, WR; 24—Jaxon Wondra, WR; 54—Gavynn Maddox, C; 57—Keeton Bray, RT; 58—Colby Spore, LT; 59—Brady Mendez, RG; 73—Josue Bustamante, LG
PANTHER DEFENSE—1—Cal Schartz, S; 2—Cooper Ohnmacht, S; 3—Carter Dreiling, STAR; 4—Hayden Liles, CB; 6—Gavin Wondra, CB; 24—Jaxon Wondra, DE; or 59—Brady Mendez, DE; 27—Blake Suppes, MIKE; or 24—Jaxon Wondra, MIKE; 50—Cole Fanshier, DE; 58—Colby Spore, DT; 73—Josue Bustamante, DT
BUHLER OFFENSE—2—Landon Martinez, TB; 3—Garrett Gleason, WR; 4—Asher Zachary, QB; 5—Asher McCounnaughy, FB; 11—;Carson Seidl, WB; 34—Jaxon Pratt, TE; 50—Nixon Standlee, RT; 54—Gabe Edmund, RG; 58—Jackson Rumbaugh, LT; 70—Landon Simon, C; 73—John Aldrich, LG
BUHLER DEFENSE—2—Landon Martinez, CB; 3—Garret Gleason, S; 5—Asher McCounnaughy, LB; 10—McCade Zachary; 13/22—Noah Myers/Nathan Wells; 15—Dylan Scripsick, S; 20—Jordan Rumbaugh, DT; 34—Jaxon Pratt, DE; 54—Gabe Edmund, DE; 58—Jackson Rumbaugh, MLB; 87— Jacob Burklow, DT
