BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
GARDEN CITY – The Great Bend Panthers have officially earned their “Comeback Kids,” label.
When Garden City scored the go-ahead extra-point, the Buffaloes led 28-27 with 2:09 remaining in the Western Athletic Conference football showdown. The Buffaloes ground out 66 yards on 17 plays on a perfect 10-minute drive.
No problem!
Quarterback Cayden Scheuerman directed the Panthers on the game-winning 71-yard touchdown drive. Scheuerman completed five passes on the drive and dashed 26 yards on a perfectly executed quarterback draw.
Center Danny Nieto and left guard Matthew Johnson delivered textbook blocks on Scheuerman’s game-winning 4-yard touchdown run with 39 seconds left. Scheuerman enjoyed a highlight-reel night with 233 yards passing and two scores and 115 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Scheuerman also scored on a dazzling 26-yard run.
“It was awesome to see our quarterback make huge plays,” said Great Bend coach Erin Beck. “His decision-making is the difference. The designed draw to get Scheuerman down there was one of the biggest plays. We spread them out and called a quarterback run, a thing of beauty.”
On Garden City’s final desperation drive, a hard-rushing Nieto drew a crucial holding call on the Buffaloes that nullified a 20-yard reception.
No. 6 seed Great Bend (6-2, 3-1 WAC) plays Goddard Eisenhower (3-5) in next Friday's 5A playoffs. Garden City (6-2, 2-2 WAC) plays Campus in the 6A playoffs.
When the Panthers’ defense faced a challenge slowing down Garden City’s offense, it was up to Scheuerman and the offense to find a way to score enough points. Garden City’s lightning-fast Jerry Artaega scored on 25, 53 and 68-yard touchdown runs to give Garden City a 21-19 lead.
“We needed big-time plays at big-time moments,” Beck said. “I’m so happy to see it work on a Friday night against a 6-1 Garden City team. It’s so fun. I’m so happy for them. It’s exciting to see us prevail again.”
Maddox Spray and standout Braylon Council caught touchdown passes. Council’s best play was a stop-and-go move that faked out Garden City defender Ethan Allen on a 19-yard scoring reception for a 27-21 lead. Council had five catches for 82 yards. He caught a pair of crucial 2-point conversions.
“To have a kid like Braylon, he’s still able to make plays,” Beck said. “Braylon peels up the sideline – that’s two dudes making plays. It’s awesome to see.”
Trent Kern blocked a punt and Blaike Parsons delivered a game-changing tackle when Garden City’s punter Ryan Heiman scrambled close to a first down after a desperate run with the blocked kick. Defensive back Skyler McMullen delivered another signature play with a perfect hit as Garden City receiver Javier Arzate dropped the football.
“Trent Kern is playing his heart out on both sides of the football,” Beck said. “Blaike Parsons made an unbelievable tackle on the sideline to give us that football. You feel it turning. We were going to win that ballgame.”
After dropping several first-half passes, the Panther receivers responded by catching everything after halftime.
The Panthers have run off six consecutive wins after an 0-2 start against McPherson and Hays High.
“This group of seniors and leaders knew we were so close,” Beck said. “Once we got over that hump, ‘look out.’ They’re doing a great job. Our mindset is win them all. We’ve got momentum.”
Beck gave credit to a crew of offensive and defensive linemen who played offense and defense. Garden City played one lineman both ways. The Panthers played without De'Onn Jones and had to substitute for injured tackle Brantley Schaffer.
“Our D line is our O line. They’re outmanned and outweighed," Beck said. "Those guys are battling every play. Our kids are fighters. It’s fun to watch. You need to watch these guys play football. I’m so proud of these guys.”
Great Bend 6 7 14 8 – 35
Garden City 7 0 14 7 – 28
GB—Cody Miller 3 run (kick fails); GC—Jerry Artaega 25 run (Rivera kick); GB—Maddox Spray 7 pass from Cayden Scheuerman (Braylon Council kick); GC—Artaega 68 run (Isaac Rivera kick); GB—Scheuerman 26 run (kick blocked); GC—Artaega 53 run (Rivera kick); GB—Council 19 pass from Scheuerman (Council pass from Scheuerman); GC—Zack Keosengphet 1 run (Rivera kick); GB—Scheuerman 4 run (Council pass from Scheuerman)
RUSHING—GB—28-154; Scheuerman 15-115; Miller 12-36; Council 1-3; GC—46-298; Artaega 9-157; Keosengphet 21-78; Wiese 8-27; team 2-(-8)
PASSING—GB—Scheuerman 18-32-1, 233; GC—Wiese 2-7-0, 35
RECEIVING—GB—Council 5-82; Spray 5-43; Colton Brack 4-57; Miller 3-39; Blaike Parsons 1-12; GC—Artaega 2-35
5A WEST BRACKET
1 Maize 8-0 (+92) vs. 16 Salina South 0-8
8 Goddard 5-3 (+45) vs. 9 Kapaun Mt. Carmel 4-4 (+22)
4 Hutchinson 6-2 (+44) vs. 13 Liberal 3-5 (-21)
5 Wichita Carroll 6-2 (+35) vs. 12 Newton 3-5 (-9)
2 Hays High 7-1 (+71) vs. 15 Wichita West 2-6
7 Valley Center 6-2 (+10) vs. 10 Maize South 4-4 (-10)
3 Salina Central 6-2 (+45) vs. 14 Andover 3-5 (-34)
6 Great Bend 6-2 (+26) vs. 11 Goddard Eisenhower 3-5 (+9)
