By JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Great Bend High’s football team and quarterfinal foe Valley Center are rewriting the school record books. The Class 5A quarterfinal game will start at 7 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium.
The No. 1 ranked Panthers (9-1) have won two playoff games for the first time since 2006 when they finished as Class 5A state runner-up.
The Hornets (9-1) won a playoff game for the first time in 20 years, dating back to 1996 when when they lost to state runner-up Liberal.
“It’s fun to play in front our our home crowd,” said Great Bend coach Erin Beck. “Our kids are excited to play another home playoff game. We’re treating this as the third step of five.”
Panther TB Cal Marshall and QB Jacob Murray were slowed last week although Murray did not miss any playing time.
LB Braulio Vargas intercepted two passes in Great Bend’s 16-7 playoff victory against Andover. The Panthers have forced nine takeaways in two playoff games. The Panthers are plus 15 on turnovers with six giveaways.
LB Payton Mauler (15 tackles per game), S Dalton Miller (11 tackles per game) and LB Jensen Randall (9 tackles per game) lead an improving defense.
“Defensively, our kids played lights out and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” Beck said. “Our guys play with heart and don’t want to lose. We’re playing with great confidence.”
QB Jacob Murray leads an offense averaging 438 yards and 40 ppg. Murray averages 301 yards total offense with 1,762 yards passing and 1,222 yards rushing. He’s passed for 18 scores and rushed for 24 touchdowns.
Panthers TB Cal Marshall (1,047 yards, 13 TDs) and WR Bryce Lytle (891 yards, nine TDs) provide more offensive firepower.
Murray’s running balances the Panthers’ offense, which averages 256 yards rushing.
“We try and stay as balanced as we can,” Beck said.
Hornet backup QB Josh Roeser rushed for 130 yards and scored two touchdowns on 31 carries in a 27-13 victory over Maize High. Roeser replaced starting QB Wyatt Lange, who missed the game with an injury.
“Valley Center is a football team that plays with a chip on their shoulder,” Beck said. “Defensively, they trust in getting 11 guys to the football.”
The Hornets’ best win was a 57-33 decision over Andover in week eight. WR Keyon Saunders scored on a 90-yard kickoff return and caught four TD passes from QB Lange, who threw for 329 yards.
QB Lange (1,519 yards, 16 TDs) leads the passing game. Lange (376 yards, 7 TDs), joins RB Caleb Rains (469 yards, 5 TDs), and Roeser (306 yards, 5 TDs) lead a running game that averages 158 yards. PK Aaron Coash has converted seven field goals with a range of 45 yards.
“We’re a tough group that plays hard and fast,” said Valley Center coach Caleb Smith said, “Our linebacking corp of Sam Weldon, Jay Shank and Don Boone are strong and athletic.”
PANTHER OFFENSE
7 QB—Jacob Murray, 5-11, 200
11 TB—Cal Marshall, 5-10, 185
20 WR—Bryce Lytle, 5-9, 150
9 WR—Brayden Smith, 6-5, 200
12 WR—Koy Brack, 6-0, 165
28 WR—Cory Burnham, 5-11, 155
76 LT—Aaron Clark, 6-8, 300
59 LG—Trevor Fehr, 5-11, 195
71 C—Kaden Schroeder, 5-9, 250
62 RG—Payton Doll, 5-11, 190
78 RT—Noah Presson, 6-5, 280
PANTHER DEFENSE
56 DE—Pablo Martinez, 6-0, 185
14 DE—Dom Rideaux, 5-8, 205
55 NG—Eric Vazquez, 5-11, 200
6 OLB—Max Jerke, 5-7, 145
10 SLB—Jensen Randall, 5-11, 180
32 WLB—Payton Mauler, 5-10, 175
34 MLB—Blake Penka, 5-11, 180
36 OLB—Braulio Vargas, 5-8, 185
15 CB—Nick Reed, 5-11, 170
27 CB—Mason YellowWolf, 5-9, 165
16 S—Dalton Miller, 5-10, 160
VALLEY CENTER (9-1)
Salina South 27-9
Campus 34-7
Arkansas City 29-7
Newton 21-0
Hays 20-6
Eisenhower 54-28
Goddard 7-49
Andover 57-33
Newton 28-20
Maize 27-13
GREAT BEND (9-1)
Coffeyville 57-13
Hays High 35-14
Wichita NW 58-47
Dodge City 34-27
Wichita West 42-21
Wichita East 41-10
Liberal 49-7
Garden City 4-21
Topeka West 70-31
Andover 16-7
GREAT BEND PLAYOFF HISTORY (10-12)
2016—5A—Great Bend 70, Topeka West 31; Great Bend 16, Andover 7; Great Bend (9-1) vs. Valley Center (9-1)
2015—5A—Maize South 26, Great Bend 14
2010—5A—Wichita Carroll 49, Great Bend 13; Carroll finishes 2nd
2007—5A—Great Bend 38, Topeka Seaman 14; Wichita Carroll 17, Great Bend 14; Carroll finishes 2nd
2006—5A—Great Bend 54, Liberal 14; Great Bend 21, Topeka Seaman 14; Great Bend 21, Wichita Carrroll 14; Stilwell-Blue Valley 34, Great Bend 3 (state championship)
2005—5A—Wichita Carroll 23, Great Bend 0
2004—5A—Great Bend 42, Wichita Carroll 28; Great Bend 56, Liberal 13; Salina South 34, Great Bend 17; Salina South finishes 1st
2003—5A—Salina South 26, Great Bend 25; Salina South finishes 2nd
2002—5A—Great Bend 10, Kapaun-Mt. Carmel 3; Salina South 23, Great Bend 21
1983—6A—Wichita Southeast 35, Great Bend 7
1978—6A—Great Bend 31, Emporia 21; Wichita Southeast 33, Great Bend 15; Wichita Southeast finishes 1st
1977—4A—Winfield 16, Great Bend 14; Winfield finishes 2nd
1973—4A—Junction City 10, Great Bend 7; Junction City finishes 2nd
