GREAT BEND (1-2) AT WICHITA SE (1-2)
RADIO—104.3 FM
VIDEO—youtube.com (GBHS Athletics)
BY JIM MISUNAS
WICHITA – After snapping a 19-game losing streak, the Great Bend Panther football team is riding a 1-game winning streak.
The Panthers (1-2) rolled past 4A powerhouse Buhler 33-6 and head to Wichita Southeast (1-2) Friday with momentum.
Panther quarterback Cayden Scheuerman sparked the victory with a trio of touchdown passes, one each by Braylon Council, Maddox Spray and Colton Brack. Scheurman has thrown for 461 yards and four touchdowns. He’s developed into the Panthers’ emotional offensive leader.
“Our whole week of practice was confident,” said Scheuerman. “We knew exactly what we’d get and exactly what we’d do. We executed it really well. This gives us confidence. We see we can beat a team and finish a game. We look at every game like we can it.”
The speedy Council has led the Panthers with 248 yards receiving.
“It’s awesome to have a receiver like Braylon Council,” Scheuerman said. “He’s a deep threat who’s really hard to cover defensively. He forces teams to double team which helps us offensively. Braylon has always been the quickest and fastest guy. He’s faster than me on the football field.”
Scheuerman credits the coaching staff and film work for back-to-back touchdown passes on stop-and-go patterns against Buhler’s man-to-man defense.
“Film work is important. We knew their safeties would play man-to-man,” he said. “We knew if we gave them a stick-and-go, they’d bite on it every time. It’s the best feeling when you execute a play that goes perfectly on Friday night.”
Tailback Cody Miller has rushed for 248 yards and three touchdowns and Scheuerman has gained 185 rushing yards.
“We ran our running game with seven guys in the box,” Scheuerman said. “They outnumbered us. Our guys up front moved them and Cody Miller is a great back. I like running the football a little bit to get into the game. It settles your nerves. If we’re running the football, it opens our passing game.”
The quarterback gets an opportunity to play pass defense when the team needs him.
“When the other team throws the football, I’ll get out there defensively,” he said. “I do whatever they ask me to do.”
Scheuerman has received some college recruiting interest at quarterback and free safety.
Wichita Southeast quarterback Micah Fiscus has thrown for 207 yards. Halfback Ronelle Slaughter has gained 254 yards. The Buffaloes beat Wichita North 24-7 and lost to Wichita West 30-12 and Wichita East 68-15.
