Great Bend (7-0, 3-0) at Garden City (2-5, 0-3)

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BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

When Great Bend's football team shut out Hays High 21-0 to capture the Western Athletic Conference football title, the postgame celebration was memorable.

"Our senior class hasn't beat Hays since third grade," said senior tackle Owen Kaiser. "To bring the WAC title back to Great Bend is special. It was fun game to play in front of an awesome crowd." 

When the Panthers (7-0, 3-0 WAC) journey to Garden City (2-5, 0-3 WAC), a No. 1 5A West seed will be on the line.  Great Bend last started 8-0 in 1978 for coach Mike Zoffuto.

"We've bonded together. The way we're playing football is our expectation," Kaiser said. "We have a goal to come out every week and compete. We want to hit teams in the mouth and keep doing it."

The 6-3, 280-pound Owen Kaiser is one of the anchors of the offensive and defensive lines.

Right tackle Kaiser joins left tackle Ensley, guards Trenton Kern and Aidan Davidson and center Karter Brown in the offensive line. The Panthers average 169 yards passing and 160 yards rushing per game.

"As long as we control line of scrimmage and give Dax (Minton) and Jace (Schartz) holes to run, we're good at both run and pass," he said. "Pass blocking is easier for me because I can read the defender."

Kaiser likes when Minton changes plays depending on the defensive alignment.

"Dax is good at reading defenses and calling a 'hot route" when we need to," he said.

The Panthers enjoy their touchdown celebrations.

"It's a great feeling knowing you did your job and our offensive line succeeded," he said "It's great when the guys who score congratulate us."

The Panthers' defensive line features tackles Kaiser, Davidson and ends Conner Holladay, Ensley, Davidson and Michael Montoya. 

Kaiser generally plays on the strong defensive side.

"My job is to occupy two linemen so Trenton Kern can run free," he said. "I like making tackles, but when Trent and our linebackers are running free, we're good with that."

The Panthers are gaining a deserved reputation as a strong goal-line defensive team. Great Bend held Hays scoreless twice in goal-line situations.

"Three-and-outs are great to get our offense back on the field," Kaiser said. "Our defense can step it up and play lights out. It's fun seeing Trenton (Kern) run through and make plays."