Buffaloes Football Looks to Earn WAC Share at Great Bend

GARDEN CITY, KS. – Buffaloes Football knew they needed a bit of luck to swing their way following their week five loss to Liberal, if it meant sharing the WAC regular-season title.

It might have taken a double-overtime goal line stand from a conference rival, but that’s just how crazy high school football can be. 14th-year head coach Brian Hill revealed he was surprised with how tightly-contested Western Kansas’ 6A division is this season.

His response? The same as last week’s; expect the unexpected.

Following Liberal’s 48-41 home loss to Hays, the Garden City Buffaloes have a chance to share the 2023 WAC title with a win at Memorial Stadium against the Great Bend Panthers this Friday. 

Garden City (5-2, 2-1 WAC) controls their own destiny to share the WAC, with Liberal and Hays both closing the season against non-conference opponents. The pressure falls on the shoulders of this Buffs team, but after handling adversity against Dodge City, coach Hill feels confident in this group.

“I thought the kids were ready to play,” Hill said. “We had a great week of practice, and the focus, from 6:45 in the morning until game time, was really good.”

The Buffaloes held the Hatchet last week with a 30-13 win over the Red Demons. GCHS’ defense forced four turnovers in the win, including three by sophomore linebacker, Culden Plankenhorn.

Plankenhorn has started every game this season, recording 57 tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. He played out of position in week seven’s win, and dedicated the performance to one of his biggest mentors on the team.

Senior Eddy Rodriguez has been assisting the sophomore throughout his first varsity season. Rodriguez helped lift the Hatchet in consecutive seasons on varsity, and now has started the growth of another great Buffaloes linebacker.

“He’s been mentored greatly by [Eddy], and he’s listened,” Hill said. “Culden’s extremely coachable, the sky’s the limit for him.”

Great Bend (4-3, 1-2 WAC) defeated the Buffaloes, 35-28, last season at Buffalo Stadium. The Panthers have a new starting quarterback, sophomore Daxton Minton has been one of the breakout players in western Kansas with 17 all-purpose touchdowns. 

The stakes are much higher for this year’s game, as the Buffaloes look to split the WAC three ways.

“That’s what I told them after the Liberal loss. The only thing we had in our control was to win,” Hill said. “Now, we’ve got our opportunity. Everything we’ve fought for eight weeks for is back in our hands, we just have to go out and take care of business.”

Both teams are looking for a crucial win to likely wrap up a week nine home playoff game, but for the Buffaloes, a season-long goal can be met with 48 minutes of good football.

Coverage on KWKR 99.9 ‘The Rock’ begins at 5:30 P.M. on Buffs Game Day, with Aaron Elam. The American Implement Pregame Show live from Memorial Stadium begins at 6:30 P.M. Kickoff between the Buffaloes and Panthers is scheduled for 7:00.