BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Great Bend's forced a trio of turnovers and the Panthers showed off an explosive offense for a 47-28 non-league football victory over Scott City Friday.
Kansas State commit Cooper Ohnmacht scored on a 36-yard interception return and powered over Drew Metzger for the score. Ohnmacht added a 39-yard scoring reception from quarterback Jaxon Smiley.
Great Bend offensive line of center Gavynn Maddox, tackles Colby Spore and Keeton Bray, guards Josue Bustamante and Brady Mendez created 482 yards offense.
The Panthers rolled up 290 yards rushing keyed by cat-quick Cal Schartz with 162 yards and a trio of touchdowns. The Panthers gained 255 first-half yards and 227 after halftime.
Super-sub Christian Alcala showed off breakaway speed on a 29-yard touchdown run and rushed for 103 yards on eight attempts. Alcala added a perfectly executed 16-yard screen pass from Smiley for a touchdown.
"What stood out for me was the way we ran the football," said Great Bend football coach Erin Beck. "We controlled the line of scrimmage. That's a great way to start the game. Our two running backs ran it so well. They were patient and saw some run seams."
Colby transfer quarterback Smiley was efficient with 11 of 17 completions for 192 yards. Alec Premer caught a 55-yard reception to set up a score.
"Maxson Smiley did an outstanding job," Beck said. "He showed poise and picked up on all our play calls. Maxson made outstanding throws and was a good game manager. He's one of the best pure passers I've seen."
The Panthers (1-0) have earned 20 consecutive regular-season wins. McPherson (1-0) visits next week.
Great Bend's defense delivered three takeaways before losing momentum after halftime. Alec Premer intercepted a pass and Blake Suppes recovered a fumble.
Several players fought leg cramps in 95-degree heat.
Beck said Carter Dreiling did a solid job sealing the outside perimeter. Blake Suppes (13 tackles), Kale Kern, Jaxon Wondra (7 tackles) and Ohnmacht earned Beck's praise. Beck liked how the secondary performed.
"Our defense was locked in and ready for the play. Third quarter, we'd given up 14 points, and one was on a kickoff return," Beck said. "Their quarterback got going with quarterback scrambles. We've got to work on our rush lanes and open-field tackling."
Cooper Irvin ignited the Beavers' 4-touchdown night on a 95-yard kickoff return.
Scott City quarterback Drew Metzger threw for 131 yards and two scores and exploited the Panthers' defense for 94 rushing yards after halftime.
Irvin caught a 9-yard touchdown pass and Adan Tarango caught a 26-yard scoring strike from Metzger in the final minute. The Beavers gained 286 yards.
Scott City 7 0 7 14 — 28
Great Bend 20 7 13 7 — 47
GB—Schartz 26 run (Cruz kick)
GB—Schartz 2 run (Cruz kick)
GB—Ohnmacht 36 interception return (kick blocked)
SC—Irvin 95 kickoff return (Salas kick)
GB—Ohnmacht 39 pass from Smiley (Cruz kick)
SC—Garcia 21 run (Salas kick)
GB—Schartz 2 run (Cruz kick)
GB—Alcala 16 pass from Smiley (kick fails)
SC—Tarango 9 run (Salas kick)
GB—Alcala 29 run (Cruz kick)
SC—Tarango 26 pass from Metzger (Salas kick)
RUSHING—SC—36-163; Metzger 15-91; Garcia 6-32; Weston 9-30; Irvin 5-9; Anderson 1-1; GB—35-290; Schartz 19-162; Alcala 8-103; Smiley 7-28; team 1-(-3).
PASSING—SC—Metzger 11-17-2, 167; GB—Smiley 11-17-0, 192.
RECEIVING—SC—Tarango 4-54; Garcia 3-45; Edwards 2-41; Irvin 1-16; Gossman 1-14; GB—Ohnmacht 6-79; Premer 2-61; Kern 1-25; Alcala 1-16; Jaxon Wondra 1-5.
