Great Bend (0-6) at Goddard Eisenhower (3-3)

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VIDEO—youtube.comn (GBHS Athletics)

By JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Great Bend Panther Stefan Spray credits the seniors for not allowing an 0-6 start to lower expectations. Spray believes the Panthers prepare to win football games every day in practice.

“Our seniors never give up. We show no fear,” Spray said. “We always come week-to-week with a fight. Every week is a new week to get better. We’ll keep fighting.”

The Panthers will ride a 14-game losing streak heading to Goddard Eisenhower (3-3) Friday. It’s the longest losing streak in 31 years when the Panthers snapped a 29-game losing streak with a 36-14 win over Salina South.

The lastest loss was a last-minute 22-21 loss to Liberal. 

“That was gut-wrenching,” Spray said. “We didn’t get over the hump after working hour-after-hour. One big play can lead to another big play and it can showball on you.”

Great Bend QB Cayden Scheuerman has passed for 586 yards and five scores. The 6-foot-5 Spray has 10 catches for 119 yards.

“I like when Cayden throws the football up in the air,” he said. “I’m 6-5, and I’ve better than a 50/50 chance on a pass.”

One of Spray’s favorite plays occurred when his brother Maddox completed a 23-yard pass against McPherson.

“That’s a lot of fun to try a trick play, especially from brother-to-brother,” Spray said. “It was a planned play, a great play.”

Braylon Council has 355 yards receiving. The running game has made progress. Panther TB Cody Miller has gained 304 yards. 

“Braylon is a big threat who opens up opportunties,” Spray said. “That last game, nine of his catches were near the line of scrimmage. Blocking is definitely the key for us. When the passing game goes, it opens the running game. Anytime you hit a big pass play, it sparks momentum.”

Panther safety Brad Beck has 53 tackles and Paco Hernandez has 49 stops. 

Eisenhower’s TB Lucas Dickman rushed for 113 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 33-14 victory over Arkansas City. QB Tyner Horn threw for 212 yards and completed three touchdown passes to Cade Friend, who had 212 yards receiving.

GREAT BEND (0-6)—L Maize South 0-32, L Hays 0-51, L McPherson 19-34, L Kapaun 7-42; L L Dodge City 14-31, L Liberal 21-22

EISENHOWR (3-3)—L Wichita Heights 23-28, W Salina Central 24-14, L Andover Central 13-35, L Andover High 0-10, W Goddard 24-0, W Arkansas City 33-14