Buffaloes Football Welcomes Dodge City for 85th Rendition of The Hatchet Game

TGARDEN CITY, KS. – 14th-year head coach Brian Hill’s message has been simple; expect the unexpected.

Hill’s 13 times in the Hatchet Game have been unique every single time. In a game that means as much to these two towns as this, throw out this season’s records, throw out previous games. For 48 minutes on Friday Night, nobody knows what to expect.

And that’s just the way these two great rivals would want it.

The Garden City Buffaloes host the Dodge City Red Demons in week seven of the season, with The Hatchet Game returning to Garden City’s Buffalo Stadium. Dodge leads the all-time series, one that has gone back-and-forth since Hill’s first season.

“It’s why kids come out and play football in Garden City. They want to play in this game,” Hill said. “There’s nothing like winning it, and sharing it with your entire community.”

The Buffaloes (4-2, 1-1 WAC) have controlled the line of scrimmage well all season. GCHS’ strong defensive line features two of the top sack leaders in the WAC in Carson Kraus and Dio Holguin. The offensive line has paved the road for running back Mario Ruiz to be tied for first in the conference with seven rushing touchdowns.

Senior Sebastian Lopez has been at the heart of the Buffaloes’ defensive line, and has loved sharing the field with such talented teammates.

“There’s so much chemistry, we all know each other really well,” Lopez said. “It helps us communicate on the field, it helps us dominate.”

Offensively, the Buffaloes used big plays from two-way senior Ryan Heiman last season, including an early 70-yard rushing touchdown to help Garden City to a 28-14 win.

One of the seniors on this year’s roster is Ethen Allen, coming off an explosive 228-yard rushing performance against Ulysses last Friday. Allen has scored in five of the six games this season, and knows how important getting one on Senior Night would be.

“I felt like I had the ability to do what other guys were able to do on offense,” Allen said. “I learned a lot [from Ryan], he would always help me with the plays and get comfortable in the position.”

Dodge City (2-4, 0-3 WAC) is led former Scott City High School head coach, Glenn O’Neil. O’Neil holds a career 3-1 record against Garden City, and is looking to get the Red Demons a pivotal late-season win for playoff positioning.

Coverage begins on KWKR 99.9 ‘The Rock’ at 5:30 P.M. with Buffs Game Day live with Aaron Elam. The American Implement Pregame show is scheduled for a 6:30 start, kickoff between the Buffaloes and Red Demons is slated for 7:00. Coverage will also be provided on Z98, with the KPreps Pregame Show airing at 6:00 P.M.