Great Bend’s football scouting report is focused on Maize South quarterback Korie Frausto, who has a Division 1 scholarship offer from Air Force.
Slow down Frausto and Great Bend’s football team will advance to the second round of the Class 5A football playoffs.
The Panthers (7-2) face Maize South (7-2) at home Friday night at Memorial Stadium after beating Salina South 29-26 last week. The Panthers played home playoff games in 2006 and 2007.
Great Bend coach Tony Crough said the Mavericks’ offense showcases 6-1, 180-pound Frausto, who has rushed for 1,385 yards and passed for 1,008 yards. Frausto accounted for 32 touchdowns and 1,219 yards passing and 887 yards rushing last year. Tailback Jacob Perez has rushed for 881 yards.
The Mavericks run multiple formations as window dressing. But their goal is simple — showcase Frausto as the primary runner with the option to pass at any time.
“We are concerned because they snap the football to him every play,” Crough said. “It’s always scary when you have a quarterback like this. They center everything around their quarterback. He runs the football about half the time for them. He throws pretty well with a quick passing game, sometimes with play action.”
Brett Parke leads the receivers with 367 yards with Brayden Wiens (224) and Preston Seiler (162) secondary options.
The Panthers will respond with an aggressive defense that has scored seven defensive touchdowns. Thomas Bobbitt and Domininique Rideaux lead a ball-hawking defense.
“We’ll have a great game plan. We want to blitz and attack and take the football away from you,” Crough said. “Our goal is to get their offense behind the sticks and keep the pressure on. You spend a lot of time adjusting to what the offense runs.”
Thomas Bobbitt rescued the Panthers with the game-winning touchdown and key receiver last week.
“Thomas is a big-time team player, and we knew he’d be ready when we needed him,” Crough said. “He answered the call and got the job done.”
Sweeping three games in the Class 5A football district has provided the Panthers with growing confidence. The Panthers had not beaten Salina Central and Salina South in the same season in 25 years.
“We love being underdogs and playing with a chip on our shoulders,” Crough said. “Our confidence is really high and keeps growing. These kids will fight to the last whistle and always believe they will find a way to win. They’ve risen to the challenge and competed.”
Center Alex Deist, guards Devon Boone and Kade Southard and tackles Aaron Clark and Jake Dearman has delivered good protection for Murray, who has thrown for 1,546 yards and 13 touchdowns. Bryce Lytle has 919 receiving yards. Murray has rushed for 743 yards and Cal Marshall 546 yards.

GREAT BEND (7-2)
Leavenworth 19-17
Hays 40-29
Garden City 28-42
Wichita North 23-12
Dodge City 7-51
Liberal 38-60
Newton 52-21
Salina Central 57-38
Salina South 29-26

MAIZE SOUTH (7-2)
Goddard 41-34
Holton 20-13
Goddard Eisenhower 20-29
Andover Central 51-41
Arkansas City 55-14
Coweta, Okla. W 49-42
Valley Center 35-16
Wichita Carroll 14-42
Maize 35-7

GREAT BEND PLAYOFF HISTORY (8-11)
• 2010 — Wichita Carroll 49, Great Bend 13
• 2007 — Great Bend 38, Topeka Seaman 14; Wichita Carroll 17, Great Bend 14
• 2006 — Great Bend 54, Liberal 14; Great Bend 21, Topeka Seaman 14; Great Bend 21, Wichita Carroll 14; Blue Valley 34, Great Bend 3 (state finals)
• 2005 — Wichita Carroll 23, Great Bend 0
• 2004 — Great Bend 42, Wichita Carroll 28; Great Bend 56, Liberal 13; Salina South 34, Great Bend 17
• 2003 — Salina South 26, Great Bend 25
• 2002 — Great Bend 10, Wichita Kapaun-Mt. Carmel 3; Salina South 23, Great Bend 21
• 1983 — Wichita Southeast 35, Great Bend 7
• 1978 — Great Bend 31, Emporia 21; Wichita Southeast 33, Great Bend 15
• 1977 — Winfield 14, Great Bend 6
• 1973 — Junction City 10, Great Bend 7