Garden City Gameday: Garden City vs. Independence (Week 4) by gcccks6

2 0 1 9

G A M E D A Y

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BR NCBUSTER GAME 4 • INDEPENDENCE • SEPT. 14, 2019 • 1 P.M. • BRONCBUSTER STADIUM • GARDEN CITY, KS

WHAT’S INSIDE 4 TODAY’S GAME 7 BREAKING IT DOWN BROADCAST INFORMATION 8 4 10 PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - RAMON JEFFERSON 14 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 15 THE PRESIDENT 17 DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS 18 HEAD COACH TOM MINNICK 18 22 ASSISTANT COACHES 28 D-MAC UNLEASHED 36 LOCATE AND DESTROY 45 STARTING LINEUPS 46 TEMPERS FLARE 46 51 SPOTLIGHT - CATHERINE SMALL

News and notes about today’s game between Garden City and Independence Taking a deeper look at the statistical comparisons

Where can you listen and watch Broncbuster football

The freshman All-American from Maine knows only one speed

Meet the governing body of Garden City Community College

Dr. Ryan Ruda is the 7th President in the history of the school

Greg McVey begins his first year as Director of Athletics

Minnick enters year one, after 11 seasons at Arizona Western

Meet the staff that Tom Minnick has assembled

The former Broncbuster is making a name for himself at Indiana

Playing shorthanded, the Broncbusters rolled over Ellsworth

Meet the players who are starting in today’s game

Garden City stormed back from 21-3 down to beat Independence. But the real action happened after the horn sounded

She’s as tough as they come, and she refuses to miss a match

CREDITS LAYOUT & DESIGN Mike Pilosof

PHOTOGRAPHERS Adam Shrimplin

COVER DESIGN

WRITERS

Mike Pilosof

ON THE COVER

PRINTING

Ramon Jefferson (RB), Krishonn Merriweather (LB), Jordan Riley (DL)

ATHLETIC WEBSITE gobroncbusters.com /GCCCSportsbuster @gccc_fball

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1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

GAME PREVIEW

When then Garden City Head Coach Jeff Sims hired Jason Brown as his offensive coordinator in 2015, all was well in the world; at least on the outside. Inside, there was turmoil, and not because Brown was a bad coach. It came down to a difference in philosophy, which in turn, meant two alpha personalities going head-tohead. That’s not a good thing inside your own building. With an inexperienced and undersized offensive line, Sims wanted the mobile Jayru Campbell as his quarterback. Brown, well, he recruited Kevin Olsen, the younger brother of Carolina Panthers’ all-pro tight end Greg Olsen.

In the end, the boss always wins, and Brown was shown the door one week prior to the 2015 season opener at Highland. After spending a year not coaching in California, Brown eventually landed the head job at Independence in 2016, replacing Steve Carson. What did he inherit? Arguably one of the worst Junior College programs in the country. Before Brown’s arrival, the school was ravished with bad luck and misfortune. In 2009, their 31-year old Head Coach, Lamar James, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. Carson took over, and the program never recovered. They endured two winless seasons (0-9 in 2011 and 0-9 in 2014) and never had a winning record. When Brown arrived in 2016, he brought a recruiting black book that rivaled most Division-I programs. With those connections, he put together one of the most talented teams in the country. They finished 5-4 in 2016 and 9-2 a year later, winning the program’s first conference title in 80 years. With expectations high, and the cameras rolling for season four of ‘Last Chance U,’ Brown and the Pirates wilted under the pressure in 2018. In their week-four showdown with Garden City,

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Before their showdown in 2018, Jeff Sims referred to Jason Brown as a television character. After all, Brown went from an unemployed coach with a fledgling career, to the

spotlight of the one of the most-watched series on Netflix. Talk about a complete 180 during a wild 12-month ride. Brown was the star of season three and four of ‘Last Chance U,’ a series that became popular with Buddy Stephens and East Mississippi. But Brown took the show to new heights, thanks to his I-don’t-care attitude and brash persona. He played up to the cameras, using his newfound fame to transform

a small town in eastern Kansas, into a world-wide spectacle. But the glitz and fame may have gone to his head. There were confrontations with both players and coaches. In season three, he got into it with his quarterback, Malik Henry, once considered one of the top recruits in the nation. Following a tumultuous

2018, Brown reportedly told one of his German players that he was his new Hitler. Shortly after that, he was forced to resign. Then in the summer, he was charged with eight felony counts of falsely impersonating an attorney. Talk about a fall from grace.

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BOB LARSON (5-0)

A NEW TYPE OF RIVALRY

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

GAME PREVIEW

JAYHAWK TIDBITS JAYHAWK STANDINGS Team

Conf

OVR

Home

Away

Neutral

Fort Scott

2-0

1-0

0-0

Butler

1-0

3-0

2-0

1-0

0-0

Hutchinson

1-0

3-0

1-0

2-0

0-0

Garden City

1-1

2-1

1-1

1-0

0-0

Independence

1-1

1-0

0-1

0-0

Coffeyville

0-1

0-3

0-1

0-2

0-0

Highland

0-2

1-2

1-0

0-2

0-0

Dodge City

0-2

0-1

0-0

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE Dodge City at Ellsworth

1 pm

Independence at Garden City

1 pm

Butler at Coffeyville

7 pm

Hutchinson at Fort Scott

7 pm

RUSHING LEADERS Independence raced out to a 21-3 lead. They completely caught the Broncbusters off guard at the start when Henry, who was instructed he would only play the first snap of the game, hit Markiese King for a 69-yard touchdown down the right sideline. A couple of minutes later, Otumos Payemanu blitzed Josh Hager’s defense for an 86yard score on the ground before King’s kick return setup Payemanu’s second rushing touchdown of the first half. But the Pirates completely collapsed. Garden City scored 25 unanswered points, and Independence never recovered. It was all part of an eight-game losing streak, one that saw the Pirates get shutout by Fort Scott, 33-0 and blown out by Iowa Western 44-21. Meantime Garden City, the team that Brown proclaimed as not very good, landed in their second National Championship Game in three years. But the rivalry takes on a new twist this year. With Sims leaving to take the head job at Missouri Southern and Brown being forced to resign amid text messages he sent to a German player saying that he was his new Hitler, the slate has been wiped clean. Well sort of. There are still players left from last year’s battle, one that saw Sims and Brown yelling postgame

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pleasantries at one another. The situation nearly escalated into a brawl before Garden City made their way back to the locker room. This season, Kiyoshi Harris replaces the outspoken Brown at Independence, while Tom Minnick, the author of three National Runner-up finishes at Arizona Western, takes over for Sims at Garden City. Neither deploy the in-your-face style of their predecessors. At Jayhawk Conference Media Day, director of officials Craig Helser praised Harris for changing the culture at Independence. But give Brown his just due. The Pirates were the laughing stock of Junior College football until his arrival. A program once void of any talent, was now bringing in four and five-star Division-I bounce-backs. Brown’s days as a free man may be numbered. He’s still facing charges for false impersonation. But his legacy in the Junior College ranks has already been cemented. He walked into a dumpster fire and turned it into a contender.

Player

Team

Car.

Yards

Y/G

Mark Wright

HUT

239

79.7

Brock Sturges

BUT

237

E. Merriweather

GCCC

221

73.7

Ramon Jefferson

GCCC

206

68.7

C. Fa’aamautau

COFF

195

PASSING LEADERS Player

Team

Cm.

Att.

Yards

Steven Frankest

BUT

727

GCCC

593

Mark Wright

HUT

593

Jace Orndorff

DCCC

530

Stephon Brown

INDY

507

Nate Cox

RECEIVING LEADERS Player

Team

Rec.

Yards

Y/G

D. Brown

DCCC

246

123

Jon Jiles

FSC

231

115

George Qualls

BUT

216

Mitchell Tinsley

HUT

210

Nathaniel Dell

INDY

198

Harris is more laid back than Brown could ever dream of being. He’s a family man and more respected by the other coaches around the league. But he can definitely thank Brown for setting up a recruiting hot bed in a once dormant eastern Kansas town.

2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

BREAKING IT DOWN GARDEN CITY

POLLS

Category

INDY

Opp.

Total Offense

957

879

Plays

140

177

Yards/Game

478.5

439.5

Rushing Yards/Game

225

177.5

Passing Yards/Game

253.5

262

34.5

Points/Game Penalties

27/256

Turnovers

Third-Down Conversion % Time of Possession

SERIES HISTORY 75th All-Time Meeting (GCCC leads 49-24-1) GCCC

INDY

SITE

COACH

2018

Indy, KS

Jeff Sims

2017

Indy, KS

Jeff Sims

2016

Garden City

Jeff Sims

2015

Indy, KS

Jeff Sims

2014

Garden City

Matt Miller

2013

Indy, KS

Matt Miller

25:22

34:38

SCORING BY QUARTERS Team

YEAR

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Tot

INDY

Opponents

RUSHING LEADERS Player

Car.

Yards

Avg.

Y/G

Stephon Brown

169

7.3

84.5

LG 30

Morgan Ellison

155

77.5

PASSING LEADERS Player

Att

YDS

Int

S. Brown

507

RECEIVING LEADERS

Player

Rec

YDS

Avg

Y/G

Player

Rec

YDS

Avg

Y/G

Dominick Watt

162

12.5

Nathaniel Dell

198

16.5

T. Johnson

32.7

R. Heath

129

21.5

64.5

RESULTS & SCHEDULE Date

Opponent

8-24

RESULTS & SCHEDULE

W-L

Score

Date

Opponent

W-L

Score

#6 Snow

30-27

8-24

Dodge City

48-29

8-31

at Dodge City

42-22

8-31

at Hutchinson

31-21

9-7

Ellsworth

61-0

9-14

at Garden City

9-14

Independence

9-21

at Fort Scott

9-21

at Iowa Western

10-5

Butler

9-28

Fort Scott

10-12

Iowa Western

10-5

at Iowa Central

10-19

at Coffeyville

10-19

at Highland

10-26

at Iowa Central

10-26

Coffeyville

11-2

Highland

11-2

Hutchinson

11-9

at Ellsworth

11-9

at Butler

KENNY WHITE

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2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

RADIO & STREAMING

BRONCBUSTER RADIO BROADCASTS All Garden City radio broadcasts, home and away, with Mike Pilosof calling the play-by-play and John Ford providing color analysis, can be heard locally and exclusively in Garden City on 99.9 FM ESPN Radio. The station has been the flagship for the Broncbusters since 2015. Garden City games can be heard on many different platforms. If you want to listen on your computer, you can log on to gobroncbusters.com, go to the football page and click on audio. You can also go directly to westernkansasnews.com/kwkr. On your mobile device, you can download the free 999 ESPN app from the apple app store or Google play on Android. In addition, you can download the free TuneIn app and search for KWKR. Game Broadcasts All broadcasts of Broncbuster football begin 30 minutes prior to kickoff with the pregame show. The segment includes interviews with both

After graduation, he worked in Woodward, Okla. for five years and Weatherford Okla. for one. In 2013, he was hired as the sports director at the Western Kansas Broadcast Center in Garden City. Then in 2016, he began working as the part-time sports information director at Garden City Community College. His wife Amber is a registered nurse at Siena Medical Center in Garden City. They have four children: Ryan (14), Gavin (14), Connor (12) and Benjamin (10). John Ford has been a fixture in Garden City since 1982. He began his coaching career at the same time, partnering up with Bill Wilson to launch the Garden City High School baseball program. From there, Ford went on to coach basketball before starting the softball program at the high school in 1994. He won 239 games in 19 seasons including four regional titles and two conference championships. The field at Tangeman Sports Complex is named in his honor. John has also served as the public address announcer for the high school since 1996 and began calling college games in 2015. John and his wife Sharon have four kids: J.J. (32)-was a starting tight end for Garden City from 2005-2006 and an academic All-American... Katie (30), Kelli (26) and Leslie (24).

BRONCBUSTER VIDEO STREAMING Mike Pilosof Play-by-Play

All home football games are streamed on the Broncbusters you tube channel. Just log on to gobroncbusters.com and scroll down to the you tube section on the home page.

John Ford Color Analyst

coaches, players and a game recap from the week before. The Domino’s postgame report follows with full-game highlights, coaches and player interviews as well as a full-game recap. Game Archives All football games are archived. To listen to any past games, you can log on to gobroncbusters.com, go to the football page and click on audio at the end of each broadcast. You can also go directly to westernkansasnews.com/gccc-sports-streaming. All archived audio broadcasts are commercial free and can be listened to on your computer or mobile device. Broncbuster Coach’s Show Hear from Head Coach Tom Minnick and certain players each Thursday night during the Broncbuster Coach’s Show at Old Chicago in Garden City. The show airs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. exclusively on 99.9 FM ESPN and is hosted by C.D. DeSalvo. About the broadcasters Mike Pilosof has served as the radio voice of the Broncbusters for the past seven seasons. Before that, he was the voice of both the college and the high school before moving into his new full-time roll as sports information director at Garden City Community College. Mike graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies in 2007.

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JEFFERSON RAMON

BY MIKE PILOSOF

HE WAS A FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE. NOW HE’S GETTING A SECOND CHANCE AT GARDEN CITY. HELLO MR. JEFFERSON!

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

RUNNING BACK “U”

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

RAMON JEFFERSON

wo years before Ramon Jefferson ever stepped foot on this earth, there was a 5’8 running back transcending the National Football League. In 1998, Barry Sanders ran for 1,491 yards and four touchdowns. It was his 10th season posting at least 1,100 yards on the ground, tying Walter Patyon’s NFL record. It was also his last year as a professional. In college, Sanders rewrote the record books at Oklahoma State, rushing for 2,850 yards and 42 touchdowns during the 1988 season. Those video-game numbers earned him a place in college-football immortality, taking home the Heisman Trophy in a landslide. Sanders dealt with plenty of skeptics coming out of Wichita North High

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Full Name

Ramon Jefferson

Major

Undecided

Jersey

#28

Position Height Weight Hometown Date of Birth

Running Back 5’11 218 Bronx, NY Jan. 10, 2000

School. Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne said he was too short. In fact, most believed the same thing. But not Pat Jones at Oklahoma State, who looked past the size and signed him. The rest is history. The fact that Sanders is Jefferson’s favorite player of all-time, speaks volumes of the sophomore’s football acumen. And just like Sanders, Jefferson has had his own skeptics. As a high school player, Jefferson was in his own class. He amassed 5,456 total yards and 52 career touchdowns, while leading Truman to back-to-back PSAL Bowl Championships. He was a two-time all-conference and twotime all-city selection. And as a senior, Jefferson was named to the All-State team. So how did a player with jaw-dropping numbers find himself playing Junior College football?

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2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

RAMON JEFFERSON

After high school, Jefferson signed with the University of Maine. And following a redshirt season, he made a big splash in 2018, starting seven games. He ran for 1,037 yards on 82 carries with eight touchdowns, while averaging 86.4 yards per game and nearly six yards per carry. The New York-City native finished second in the conference in rushing yards, fourth in yards per game, ninth in all-purpose

yards and sixth in touchdowns. He became the first freshman in Maine history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season and was named an FCS All-America honorable mention. But off-the-field issues put everything on hold. In February, Jefferson was arrested and charged with domestic violence. He was suspended for spring practice and later plead-

ed guilty to a lesser charge. Over the years, Junior College has provided athletes with a second chance. Take Alvin Kamara for example. He signed with Alabama in 2013 but quickly found himself in Nick Saban’s doghouse. He was later arrested for driving without a license and was released from his scholarship. He was rerouted to Hutchinson, KS, where

he became the best running back in the NJCAA. After one year with the Blue Dragons, he transferred to Tennessee. He’s now a star with the New Orleans Saints. Since arriving in Garden City, Jefferson has done everything right. He was named the No. 2 running back behind starter Jadon Hayes and never complained. But when Hayes suffered a shoulder injury vs. Dodge City in week two, Jefferson was back in the spotlight. He knew exactly what to do. In his lone start this year, Jefferson torched Ellsworth for 168 yards on just nine carries and three touchdowns last week. For his efforts, he was named the Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week. With a second chance at playing football, the guy who idolizes Barry Sanders, now has a chance to quiet his critics, just like Sanders did 30 years ago. And he’s doing it at the new ‘Running Back U.’

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

DR. BLAKE WASINGER CHAIR

JEFF CRIST KACCT REP

STEVE MARTINEZ FCEDC REP

TERRI WORF VICE CHAIR

LEONARD HITZ MEMBER

MERILYN DOUGLASS MEMBER

GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS GOVERNED BY A SIX-MEMBER BOARD OF TRUSTEES, ALL OF WHOM WERE ELECTED TO THEIR CHAIR. THE COLLEGE IS ACCREDITED BY THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION.

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THE PRESIDENT dr. ryan ruda

7TH PRESIDENT, GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

he board of trustees unanimously approved, on Feb. 12, 2019, Dr. Ryan Ruda as the seventh President of Garden City Community College.

Before taking on the lead roll, Ruda served as the interim President since the summer of 2018. Dr. Ruda has been a part of Garden City Community College for more than two decades, most recently serving as the vice president of instruction and student services. He began his tenure as a counselor before being named Director of Counseling in 2003. From there, Dr. Ruda held numerous leadership roles on campus including Athletic Director. Dr. Ruda is also very active in our Southwest Kansas community, where he volunteers on the United School District 363 Holcomb school board and the Board of the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce. He participates in the Garden City Rotary Club and sits as an exofficio member of the Garden City Community College Endowment Association Board. Dr. Ruda completed his Doctorate in Community College Leadership through the Rouche Graduate Center at National American University in 2018. He also earned a Master of Science in Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, both at Fort Hays State University.

Dr. Ruda and his wife, Amanda, have three daughters in middle and high school—Madi, Nicole, and Malia, all of whom attend school in Holcomb. When Dr. Ruda entered the Presidential role at Garden City Community College, he brought with him a renewed focus on student-centered and value driven decision making at the faculty, staff, and administrative levels. Dr. Ruda himself exemplifies the “BroncBUSTER” values, as they are called on campus. He is a servant leader, is a very relatable individual, and his passion for student success permeates the entire campus at GCCC.

the ruda family

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2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

GREG MCVEY

justin and dalton

avery

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

reg McVey begins his first season as the Director of Athletics at Garden City Community College.

A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Greg McVey comes to Garden City Community College from the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois where he led the Chaparrals 18 intercollegiate athletic programs as the Director of Athletics and Recreation. While there, he was able to lead the department through the successful completion of a yearlong NJCAA probation period that was levied upon the department prior to his arrival on campus in July of 2018. Additionally, he led several initiatives including; successfully securing funding to create a full-time Sports Information Coordinator position and the Student-Athlete Enrichment Coordinator. The department also hosted the 2018 Red Grange Bowl sponsored by the NJCAA that crowns the football national champion on a yearly basis for the non-scholarship football playing institutions. McVey also served as the NATYCAA District 4 Executive Board Member that provides a voice and leadership for two-year athletic administrators within the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). Prior to his time in Glen Ellyn, Greg was the Director of Athletics at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri from 2015 through 2018. Under his leadership the Vikings recorded a combined .670 winning percentage, 9 Missouri Community College Athletic Conference Championships, 4 NJCAA Region 16 Championships, 3 NJCAA District Championships and 3 National Tournament Appearances. In addition, the Vikings had 151 Academic All-MCCAC, 108 Academic All-NJCAA Region 16, and 36 NJCAA Academic All-Americans during his tenure as the Director of Athletics. He was able to spearhead several facility upgrades while in Hillsboro including; a new indoor HD video board, remodel of the athletic training room, baseball stadium backstop and seating improvements, and the complete renovation of the campus fitness center. Viking Athletics was also visible in the community and the athletic department performed several hundred hours of service learning throughout Jefferson County including; reading at elementary schools, free sports clinics, and stocking shelves at local food pantries. Greg was also instrumental in implementing several new athletic initiatives including; Under Armour/BSN Purchasing Agreement that saw the department partner with a national brand for all uniforms, practice gear and footwear, Athletics Sponsorship and Marketing program which created a revenue stream for the department, and revising and implementing the Jefferson College Student-Athlete Substance Abuse Testing program.

and has served a member of the Hannibal, Missouri Kiwanis Club, and the Hillsboro Missouri Rotary Club. In total Greg has over 25 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, including; Director of Athletics at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri (2010-2014), Associate Director of Athletics at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois (2007-2010), Head Baseball Coach/ Academic Coordinator for Student-Athletes at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois (2001-2007), Head Baseball Coach/Campus Recreation Director at Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, Kentucky (20002001), Assistant Baseball Coach at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina (1998-2000), Assistant Baseball at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio (1997), Head Baseball Coach/Student Activities Coordinator at Miami University-Middletown (1993-1996), and Graduate Assistant Baseball Coach at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio (1992-1993). Greg earned his Bachelors in Business Administration in 1992 from Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana and his Masters in Sports Administration in 1993 from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Greg is married to the former Amy Wheelock and has five children, Justin (28), Dalton (25), Avery (20), Casey (15), and Sophie (7). sophie

casey

greg and amy

McVey has served on several conference and national committees during his career including; NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, NATYCAA Executive Board, NAIA National Administrative Council, NAIA Competitive Experience Committee, HAAC Strategic Planning Task Force, Athletic Director Liaison for HAAC Soccer, NCAA North Central Regional Baseball Advisory Committee, and the NCAA North Central Regional Softball Advisory Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), past member of the American Baseball Coaches Association, OPPORTUNITY USA

2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

HEAD COACH

tom minnick

35TH ON THE NJCAA’S ALL-TIME WINS LIST (135)•GUIDED ARIZONA WESTERN TO TOP-20 FINISHES IN 8 OUT OF 11 SEASONS•LED MATADORS TO 10 STRAIGHT BOWL GAMES•ASSISTANT ON ONLY NON-SCHOLARSHIP JUNIOR COLLEGE PROGRAM TO WIN OVERALL NATIONAL TITLE

istory is something that Tom Minnick is used to making. When Arizona Western decided to dissolve its football program following the 2018 season, Minnick was the most coveted coaching free agent in the history of Junior College football.

THE MINNICK FILE Hometown...................................... Fort Wayne, IN High School............................Bishop Luers, 1986 College.......................... University of Rolla, 1991 Family....................................................Wife: Tiffany ...........................Daughters: Payton and Morgan

COACHING HISTORY 2019-Present: Garden City Head Coach 2008-2018: Arizona Western Head Coach 2006-2007: Joliet JC Head Coach 1998-2005: Joliet JC DL Coach, RB Coach 1997: Lake Park High School Assistant Coach 1990-1996: College of DuPage Assistant Coach

BOWLS COACHED 2018..............El Toro....................Arizona Western 2017..............Mississippi...........Arizona Western 2016..............El Toro....................Arizona Western 2015..............El Toro....................Arizona Western 2014..............El Toro....................Arizona Western 2013..............El Toro....................Arizona Western 2012..............El Toro....................Arizona Western 2011..............El Toro....................Arizona Western 2010..............Heart of TX...........Arizona Western 2009..............El Toro....................Arizona Western 2007..............Graphic Edge...................... Joliet JC 2006..............Graphic Edge...................... Joliet JC 2005..............Graphic Edge...................... Joliet JC 2002..............Golden Isles......................... Joliet JC 2001..............Pepsi Cola............................ Joliet JC 1996..............Midwest........... College of DuPage 1995..............Midwest........... College of DuPage 1994..............Midwest........... College of DuPage 1993..............Midwest........... College of DuPage 1991..............Midwest........... College of DuPage 1990..............Midwest........... College of DuPage

Minnick’s bravado wasn’t cocky; it was on point. Yes, he was taking over for Sims, the same coach that lifted Garden City from the cellar all the way to the program’s first national title in 2016. But he was in familiar territory.

Truth be told, Minnick had plenty of suitors. But he was instantly drawn to Garden City, a program he personally watched go from rebuild to Jayhawk Conference Giant in the matter of one season.

When Minnick arrived in Yuma, AZ in 2008, he inherited a program that had not been to a bowl game in 40 years. And after a 6-5 campaign in his first season, the Fort Wayne, IN. native made it a tradition to go bowling in December. In fact, he guided the Matadors to 10 straight bowl game appearances. In just his fourth season, Arizona Western played East Mississippi in the National Championship, a game in which they nearly dug out of a 27-0 hole against NJCAA record-breaking quarterback Bo Wallace.

“I know exactly what I’m taking over,” Minnick said during his introductory press conference in Dec., 2018. “But I know something about rebuilding programs too.”

“I’m not scared to take over for a successful coach,” Minnick said. “That’s the nature of this business. But we have a proven track record of success in a similar situation.”

“As soon as we knew Coach (Jeff ) Sims was leaving, we knew who we wanted,” assistant athletic director Colin Lamb said. “It was just a matter of making it work.”

the minnick family

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1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

HEAD COACH

Minnick’s arrival in southwest Arizona coincided with the program’s greatest stretch of dominance since NJCAA Hall of Famer Ray Butcher led the Matadors to the 1972 National Championship. With Minnick at the helm, Arizona Western won 10 or more games four times, played in three national title games, and finished in the top 20 in eight out of his 11 seasons there. Twice, he guided the Matadors to 11-win campaigns, including the 2016 squad, who came within seconds of claiming the school’s second National Championship. “Garden City is on the map,” Minnick said. “Our job is to continue the success that Coach Sims established here. I have all the confidence in the world that we can do that.” Minnick’s coaching pedigree is well documented. After his playing career ended in 1991, he joined forces with another NJCAA legend-Bob MacDougall at the College of DuPage, the same coach and school that Minnick played for as a star quarterback. It was in Chicago where the coaching foundation was set. DuPage played in a bowl game every year that Minnick was there, finishing as the No. 2 team in the nation in 1993 and 1995. In 1994, they went 11-0 and were crowned Midwest Bowl Champions. Minnick eventually followed MacDougall to Joliet, where in 2002, they became the first non-scholarship program in history to win the overall National Championship. The year before, DuPage was crowed the best non-scholarship team in the land. When MacDougall retired following the 2005 season, Minnick replaced his mentor, winning 10 games in 2007 and pushing his team past Iowa Area Community College in the Graphic Edge Bowl. He was named Region IV Coach of the Year at season’s end. MINNICK’S YEAR-BY-YEAR HEAD COACHING HISTORY YEAR

SCHOOL

OVERALL

CONF

2018

Arizona Western

6-5

4-3

El Toro Bowl (Lost to No. 6 Lackawanna 17-10...Coached (3) first-team all-conference players and four All-Region

2017

Arizona Western

9-1

7-0

National Championship Game (Lost to No. 1 East Missisippi 31-28)...Coached QB Bryce Perkins; now at Virginia

2016

Arizona Western

11-1

8-0

National Championship Game (Lost to No. 1 Garden City 25-22)...Coached NDPOY Patrick Macon

2015

Arizona Western

7-4

5-3

El Toro Bowl (Beat College of DuPage 14-5...Coached 2nd-team All-American RB Darrell Monroe (1,009 rush yards)

2014

Arizona Western

11-0

8-1

El Toro Bowl (Beat Central Lakes 38-14)...Suffered only loss in week 3 to Snow 24-7; won 9 straight to close the year

2013

Arizona Western

2-10

2-8

El Toro Bowl (Lost to New Mexico Military 32-16)...Forfeited five games because of transfer waivers

2012

Arizona Western

8-2

6-2

El Toro Bowl (Beat Nassau 42-37)...Dropped one-point contest to Glendale and season-finale to Snow

2011

Arizona Western

11-1

8-0

National Championship (Lost to East Mississippi 55-47)...Trailed 27-0 to Lions before nearly pulling off comeback

2010

Arizona Western

10-2

7-1

Heart of Texas Bowl (Lost to Blinn 31-27)...Reggie Bullock led the nation in rushing (1,830 yards)-NPOY

2009

Arizona Western

9-2

9-0

Mississippi Bowl (Los to East Mississippi 27-24)...Reggie Bullock finished 2nd in the nation in rushing (1,417 yards)

2008

Arizona Western

6-5

5-4

Started the season 1-2 before rebounding to win 5 ouf of their final 8 games

2007

Joliet

10-2

Graphic Edge Bowl (Beat North Iowa Area 28-21)

2006

Joliet

7-4

Graphic Edge Bowl (Lost to Iowa Central 30-19)

OPPORTUNITY USA

BOWL GAME/SEASON NOTES

2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

HEAD COACH

Minnick’s’ time at Joliet ended following the 2007 season, when he took the head job at Arizona Western. Four years later, Joliet dropped the program completely, ending one of the most dominating eras of football in region history. During his head coaching stops, Minnick has tutored some of the top players in the country, including safety Bryce Beekman and defensive back Elijah Blades, two stalwarts at Arizona Western last year who signed with Washington State and Texas A&M respectively. His 2017 team produced Bryce Perkins, now the starting quarterback at Virginia. His runner-up squad from 2016 was led by National Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Macon, who inked with Oklahoma State before he transferred to South Florida. Also on that team was four-star tight end Jeremy Patton, who burned the Broncbusters for a touchdown during the National Championship Game. He had offers from several Power-5 schools before landing at Arkansas.

in Damien Williams, who played at Oklahoma and is currently with the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2012, Randy Gregory spent one season at Arizona Western; transferred to Nebraska; then was taken in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

In 2009 and again in 2010, Minnick coached one of the nation’s best backs in Reggie Bullock, who went onto play at East Carolina. In 2011, he mentored another dazzling running back

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2019 BRONCBUSTER FOOTBALL

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

ASSISTANT COACHES

JERRY DOMINGUEZ

MIKE ORTHMANN

WILL HARRIS

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR LINEBACKERS

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR QUARTERBACKS

OFFENSIVE LINE COACH

•1st season •Bethany College •Watsonville, CA Jerry Dominguez enters his first season as the defensive coordinator for Garden City Community College. He spent the past 14 years in the same position at Arizona Western under Head Coach Tom Minnick. Dominguez led one of the nation’s top defensive units during his time in Yuma. That defense helped the Matadors reach the National Championship Game in 2011, 2016 and 2017. In 2017, the Matadors were eighth in the country in points per game allowed (18.4), second in fewest touchdowns allowed (9), and third in interceptions (21). The year before that, Arizona Western was second nationally in yards per game allowed (166.5) and points allowed (9.4); this while forcing 45 takeaways and scoring seven defensive touchdowns. Middle linebacker Patrick Macon was named the David Rowlands Male Student-Athlete of the Year as well as the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year after terrorizing opposing offenses in 2016. Dominguez’s defenses pitched 14 shutouts during his 14 years at Arizona Western (13 as defensive coordinator). He has a history of developing elite defensive talent. Former stars Korey Toomer (Idaho) and Jesse Williams (Alabama), not only went on to excel on the four-year level (Williams won a pair of national championships with the Crimson Tide), but both were drafted by the Seattle Seahawks and won Super Bowls. Former defensive end Randy Gregory became Dominguez’s highest pick in the NFL draft as a second rounder in 2015. Former safety Maurice Alexander became a fourth-round pick by the Rams in 2014 and is now with the Buffalo Bills. Other players that have signed with NFL teams include former All-Pac 12 & Arizona State defensive lineman Luis Vasquez (Ravens), Arizona State linebacker Chris Young (Jets), Kansas safety Cassius Sendish (Browns), University of Idaho alum Jeromy Jones (Rams), Portland State’s Myles Wade (Buccaneers), Hawaii’s Zach Masch (Seahawks) and Arizona’s Paul Magloire (Buccaneers). They’re part of a contingent of more than 60 players coached by Dominguez at Arizona Western who have gone on to play at NCAA Division I schools. From 2009 through 2011, Dominguez’s defenses were tops in the WSFL (and 4th-best in the nation), allowing just under 200 yards per game in each of those seasons.

•1st season •University of Idaho •Kennewick, WA

•1st season •Midwestern State •Fontana, CA

Mike Orthmann enters his first season as offensive coordinator at Garden City Community College. He spent the past 10 years in the same position under Tom Minnick at Arizona Western.

Will Harris enters his first season as the offensive line coach at Garden City Community College. He spent the past four years working as an assistant under Tom Minnick at Arizona Western.

From 2009–2017, the Matadors earned three NJCAA Football Championship Game berths, nine NJCAA bowl game appearances and won six WSFL championships. The 38 wins from 2009-12 match the 2014-2017 runs as the two best four-year stretches in program history.

Harris began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant for the Matadors in 2015. He helped out with the offensive line and tight ends. Then, in 2016, he was added to the staff full time, focusing on the offensive line.

Orthmann’s players have been named NJCAA Region I Offensive Player of the Year five times and the Western States Football League’s Offensive Player of the Year six times. In 2010, Matador running back Reggie Bullock was named the NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Year. That season, Bullock led the nation in rushing (1,830 yards) and scoring (132 points), and finished his two-year AWC career with 3247 rushing yards, the most career rushing yards in the history of the Western States Football League and 5th most all-time in the NJCAA. In 2011, Damien Williams became the second Matador in a row to lead the nation in rushing and scoring, with 1,931 yards (9th best in NJCAA history) and 188 points; both are AWC single-season records. Williams finished his two-year AWC career with 2,654 rushing yards, second only to Bullock. In 2012, quarterback Tanner McEvoy set AWC single-season records for touchdown passes (28), completions (156), completion percentage (64.5) and quarterback rating (171.96), joining Bullock and Williams by being named NJCAA Region I Offensive Player of the Year. And in 2017, Greg Bell III piled up 1,217 rushing yards while averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns to go with 15 receptions for 201 yards as the WSFL Offensive Player of the Year.

During his four years in Yuma, Arizona Western had one of the top rushing attacks, spearheaded by a dominant offensive line that played in back-to-back National Championship Games in 2016 and 2017. They also captured two straight WSFL titles. As a player, Harris spent two seasons (2014-16) at Midwestern State University as both a left and right tackle. He helped the team win the Lone Star Conference Championship. He was honored on the All-LSC Offensive Line Second Team. Before that, Harris played at Arizona Western for two seasons (2010-12) and transitioned from tight end to left tackle. He helped the Matadors win the WSFL twice, played in the 2011 NJCAA National Championship Game at the El Toro Bowl, and played in the CHAMPS Heart of Texas Bowl. He was named to the All-WSFL First Team and All-ACCAC Second Team at left tackle. In High School, Harris was an all-league offensive lineman, helping his team to a sectional title and three straight league championships. He also played basketball. After college, Harris played three years in the Arena League with the Los Angeles Kiss, Iowa Barnstormers and the Tri Cities Fever.

16 of Orthmann’s Matador offensive players have been named NJCAA All-Americans. He has coached numerous future NFL players, most recently Jacob Hollister (New England Patriots). Orthmann played offensive line at the University of Idaho for Head Coach Dennis Erickson. He earned his Bachelor’s Degrees in both history and education as well as a Master’s Degree in business administration from Eastern Washington University.

Before Arizona Western, Dominguez spent six years as an assistant at NCAA D-II Northern State University. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Bethany, as a secondary coach and special teams coordinator in 1997.

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2019 BRONCBUSTER FOOTBALL

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

ASSISTANT COACHES ZAC MILLER

CALEB YOUNG

AARON CHEATWOOD

WIDE RECEIVER’S COACH

DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR LINEBACKERS

•1st season •North Alabama •Birmingham, AL

5th season •Briar Cliff University •Florissant, MO

•1st season •Arizona Western •Parker, AZ

Zac Miller enters his first season as the Wide Receivers Coach at Garden City Community College. He spent the previous three years at Eastern Arizona.

Caleb Young has been through the good times and the bad at Garden City. The longest tenured member of the staff, the Missouri-native enters his fifth season as the defensive backs coach.

Aaron Cheatwood enters his first season as the defensive line coach at Garden City Community College. He spent the last two seasons as the Head Coach at Yuma Catholic High School in Yuma, AZ.

As the Defensive Backs Coach with the Gila Monsters, his secondary finished in the top five in the NJCAA in total passing yards allowed in 2017 and 2018.

Young joined Jeff Sims’ staff for the 2015 season. That year, the Broncbusters went on the road and knocked off Highland in week one. But after jumping out to a 14-0 lead seven days later vs. Dodge City, the Broncbusters could not close the deal, as the Conquistadors came storming back. It was the first of a program-record seven straight losses.

Cheatwood began his career as the Defensive line coach at Arizona Western College in the spring of 2007. The next two seasons, he moved over to the offensive side of the ball to coach the o-line.

He coached All-American Malik Dixon, who moved on to Rutgers along with NJCAA All American Quandre Mosely (Kentucky) and Dreshun Miller (West Virginia). In all, four defensive backs under Miller earned First Team All-Conference in the WSFL. While at Eastern Arizona, Miller helped guide the Gila Monsters to three straight NJCAA Bowl Games: 2016 Salt City Bowl Champions vs. Butler, 2017 Salt City Bowl Champions vs. Hutch, and the 2018 Mississippi Bowl vs. Jones Community College. Miller played Wide Receiver/ Defensive Back for New Mexico Military before moving on to the University of North Alabama under former Coach Mark Hudspeth. Miller spent his last three years in the Junior College ranks in Arizona while also serving as the strength and conditioning coach for Eastern Arizona Women’s Softball and Golf. While under his strength and conditioning program, Women’s Softball finished fourth in the country and appeared in the National Championship Tournament in 2017, and golf followed that with a top-15 finish in Nationals later that same year.

Garden City eventually turned their season around, starting with an upset win over No. 1 Butler in El Dorado. And Young was a big reason for the shift in momentum. He and Sims collaborated with future NFL draft pick Lonnie Johnson, converting him from wide receiver to cornerback. And boy did the decision pay off. Johnson finished with 35 tackles and five picks in 2015, earning a spot on the All-Jayhawk team. In 2016, Young helped tutor a secondary that wreaked havoc on the rest of the country. He coached All-American Mike Hughes (Vikings), Ellsworth-transfer Rashaun Croney, who was second on the team with seven interceptions, B.J. Blount, who led the squad with eight picks, and Alabamatransfer Eddie Williams.

During his time at Arizona Western, Cheatwood’s position group was ranked near the top in the NJCAA with multiple players moving on and producing in the NFL. He left Arizona Western after three seasons to become the defensive coordinator at Yuma Catholic. During his eight years there, Cheatwood carried multiple titles: Offensive Line Coach, Defensive Line Coach, Defensive Backs Coach, Quarterback Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Offensive Coordinator, Assistant Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. The school played in four state championships and won three. After graduating from Parker High School in 2004, Cheatwood played two years at Dana College in Blair, Neb. He also spent time at Arizona Western.

The following season, Warren Saba was an all-conference performer before transferring to East Carolina. And during their run to the 2018 National Championship Game, Young again had his fingerprints all over the defensive backfield, coaching the likes of Joe Jay Smith, Deric Rucker, and North Carolina State-transfer Trae Meadows. Before coming to Garden City, Young spent three seasons at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL, where he served as the defensive backs coach. At the same time, he directed the strength and conditioning program. Young played both corner and safety at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA. There, he led the defense in interceptions his junior and senior seasons. He also ran track, where he was a record setter and national qualifier. Young played professionally for a few years in the indoor league for the Bloomington Edge and the Dodge City Law.

OPPORTUNITY USA

2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

ASSISTANT COACHES

JAMES GRINDE

JORDAN FISKE

LINEBACKERS COACH

STRENGTH COACH

•1st season •Southwestern Okla. State •Warrensburg, MO

•1st season •Midwestern State •Fontana, CA

James Grinde enters his first season as the Linebackers Coach at Garden City Community College.

Jordan Fiske begins his first season as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Garden City Community College.

He comes to Garden City after spending the past seven months at the Six-Zero Football Academy in Denver, CO. where he developed high school, college and professional players while serving as the lead recruiter.

At 24, Fiske has accomplished a lot. A former fullback and tight end at the University of Massachusetts, he spent the last year as an intern at Tennessee. There, he coached linebackers and was an assistant strength coach for head man Jeremy Pruitt.

During the 2018 season, Grinde was an assistant coach at McPherson College in McPherson, KS. There, he was in charge of the run game, offensive line, special teams and the strength and conditioning program. Before landing at McPherson, he spent two seasons as the secondary and linebackers coach at Jefferson High School and two years at his alma mater Warrensburg from 2011 to 2013. Grinde knows the landscape of the Jayhawk Conference, having spent nearly at year at Coffeyville in 2014 as the Defensive Quality Control Coach. He has also had other collegiate coaching stops at Houston, Central Missouri and Southwestern Oklahoma State.

Before arriving in Knoxville, Fiske was an intern at Massachusetts during the 2018 season. He was in charge of training all defensive lineman and linebackers while simultaneously organizing and running the weight room. The year prior, he served in a similar role as an intern at Virginia. Fiske is an east-coast native, having grown up in Hinsdale, MA, about two and a half hours west of Boston. He went on to star as a tight end at Wahconah Regional High School in Dalton, MA, earning All-Region honors while leading his team to the 2012 MIAA Super Bowl State Championship. After spending a year at East Coast Prep, Fiske signed to play at UMASS. He graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health.

Grinde grew up in Warrensburg, MO and starred at Warrensburg High School. He eventually earned a scholarship to Central Missouri, where he played on the offensive line. He also played on the defensive line at Mid America Nazarene. Grinde holds a Bachelor’s Degree in physical education from Central Missouri and a Master’s in sports management from Southwestern Oklahoma State. He moves to Garden City with his wife, Jacquelyn.

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2019 BRONCBUSTER FOOTBALL

COLLEGE PROFILE Independence Community College was established in 1925 as a senior high school inside the Independence public school system. In 1967, the college legally separated from the school district, and three years later, began classes at their new building. In 2010, a former large retail space was donated at a location next to the local Wal-Mart. The College renovated the new West Campus, and a capital campaign was conducted raising $760,000 for renovations. Today, the school has an enrollment of more than 1,600 students.

INDEPENDENCE, KS COLLEGE FACTS Location

Independence, KS

Enrollment

1,600

President

George Knox

Athletic Director

Brett Vana

Colors

Blue and Gold

Conerence

GEORGE KNOX INTERIM PRESIDENT

Jayhawk

Home Field

Shulthis Stadium

Series Record

GCCC leads 49-24-1

Football started

1925

COACHING STAFF HEAD COACH Head Coach Record at Indy

1-1

Career Record

2-1 (1st)

BRETT VANA ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

KIYOSHI HARRIS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Kiyoshi Harris

Coach

ASSISTANT COACHES Position

Alma Mater

Jason Martin

Arizona

Matthew Finnin

Nebraska

Keith Donerson

Ashford

Jesse Ornelas

E. Illinois

Steve McCollom

Wisconsin

Kurt Landgren

Steven Stadler

OLB

Johnny Caughman

Ben Saunders

SUNY

Marquis Wimberly

Chaffey

Austin Sevier

Ark Tech

Brayden Kearsley

BYU

Cerritos Okla. State Sac St.

HOME OF THE PIRATES

SHULTHIS STADIUM

THE

D-MAC ATTACK DEMARCUS ELLIOTT WAS ALWAYS A POWER-FIVE

TALENT. BUT A QUICK STOP AT JUNIOR COLLEGE HAS THE INDIANA HOOSIERS SOPHOMORE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN READY FOR AN UNSTOPPABLE FUTURE; ONE THAT COULD HAVE HIM PLAYING ON SUNDAYS

ames Elliott arrived in Garden City from Newport News, VA. in 1992. And let’s just say that his first impression of Southwest Kansas was not a memorable one. Although it does make for a few laughs. “I called my mom immediately and told her I wanted to come home,” Elliott recalls. “Please come get me, I begged her. But she told me that I wasn’t allowed to come home.” Oh, a mother’s love. Yet it was that phone converstation that set Elliott in the right direction. There was also a lot of change going on that year. Jeff Leiker had just taken the reigns of a program that had finished 8-3-1 the year before. He replaced Brian McNeeley, who left after six years. But there was a problem; at least in Elliott’s mind. “I had never even heard of Garden City,” Elliott said. “I was like where the hell is this place? There are cows roaming around. Where am I?” Cows and livestock aside, Elliott adjusted and made it through fall camp. He played sparingly in Garden City’s 44-6 season-opening loss to Navarro. But four weeks later vs. Independence, the freshman broke through, rushing for 212 yards and two touchdowns on just nine caries. Then in a driving rain storm in the conference playoffs a month later against Coffeyville, Elliott was the workhorse, carrying the ball an incredible 47 times for 294 yards and a score. “You have to stick this thing out,” Elliott told Jeff Sims’ team following a practice during the 2018 season. “There is no going home. I could have easily left. But I didn’t. And I made a life here.” Elliott went on to become the full-time starter in 1993, rushing for 1,175 yards and eight touchdowns, earning all-conference honors along the way. After graduation, he signed as a linebacker with Pat Jones and Oklahoma State before graduating in 1996. And after not warming up to Garden City when he got off the bus nearly five years earlier, Elliott moved back there and started a family.

BY MIKE PILOSOF PHOTOS BY MISSY MINEAR AND ADAM SHRIMPLIN

DEMARCUS ELLIOTT Funny how things work out. “I basically grew up here,” Elliott said. “Now our family lives here.” The story of the senior Elliott is important to understand. He didn’t come from a family of millionaires. But learning things the hard way isn’t always a bad thing; something Elliott continues to instill in his son. ◊◊ ◊◊ ◊◊ WHEN THEY SAY THE APPLE doesn’t fall too far from the tree, they really aren’t lying. On Jan. 17, 2000, Elliott was born to James and Annette. Now a lot of parents tell the story of putting a football in their child’s crib. Well, with Demarcus, he didn’t need his parents to; he did it himself. Elliott was always one of the biggest kids growing up. He tormented others his age on the football field, mainly because of his size. But there are a lot of big kids going through the recreational center and YMCA in Garden City that play football, but aren’t football players. One look at Demarcus, and there was no doubt he was a player. “I always loved football; there was never a question about that,” the younger Elliott said. “It’s something that just came natural for me.” Elliott dominated the youth leagues; then did the same as a seventh and eighth grader at Horace Good Middle School. “Demarcus was just a different type of kid,” said Brian Hill, his High School coach, who was teammates with his father back in 1992. “He’s a special football player. He is one of the best players to come through this program in a long time.” Hill would know. He coached the likes of Gabe Luna, who starred at Butler and Iowa State. He tutored Greyson Tempel, arguably one of the best quarterbacks in Buffalo history who guided Garden City to the state semifinals in 2013. A year later, Elliott arrived on scene, a 14-year old in a 25-year olds body. There is still the belief that Elliott was shaving in between crib checks by James and Annette. Demarcus waited his turn as most freshman do. Then, in the Fall of his sophomore year, he unleashed on the rest of the Sunflower State. His first taste as a varsity player came on Sept. 4, 2015. He had five tackles in a 28-14 win over Olathe East. Two weeks later, Elliott had seven stops and a sack in a shootout victory over Western Athletic Conference rival Great Bend. But his best performance came in the Buffaloes’ district opener vs. Hutchinson, tallying 10 tackles, his first-career double-digit tackle game as Garden City downed Hutchinson 14-2. The Buffaloes missed out on a district championship and a playoff spot, falling to Dodge City in the annual Hatchet Game, 21-20. But Elliott was just getting started.

As a junior, Elliott was part of one of the best defensive units of the Hill era. Teaming up with the likes of Zeke Herrera, Jasper Partin, Benny Hernandez and David Arteaga, Garden City won their first nine games. Elliott had his fingerprints all over that team, recording 11 tackles and two sacks in a 21-6 win over Wichita South in week three. He added nine more stops seven days later in a 34-0 annihilation of Hays. He finished the year with 44 tackles, 15 for loss and four sacks, earning a spot on the All-WAC team. The Buffaloes though fell to Lawrence Free State in the opening round of the 6A playoffs, 42-7. Through two years as a varsity starter, Elliott had already left an indelible mark. But it was during his senor year, where Demarcus became the best defensive player in the state of Kansas. Playing both ways, Elliott was pretty much unblockable. As a defensive tackle, he finished with 81 tackles, 18.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, three blocked field goals, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Try to say all of that in one breath. He had three double-digit tackle games, including an epic 14-stop performance in a thrilling 24-21 victory over Topeka in the second round of the playoffs. At season’s end, Elliott was named the 6A Defensive Player of the Year. He added an All-State selection to his resume and was selected as one of the top 11 players in the state. “I know what I’m capable of, and the type of player that I am,” Elliott said following his senior season. “Let everyone else be the judge.” But the phone wasn’t ringing, which may go down as one of the

wanted him. But Elliott yearned for something more lucrative; a chance to play on the biggest stage on Saturdays. ◊◊ ◊◊ ◊◊ JEFF SIMS ALWAYS had an eye on Demarcus. And the family legacy definitely helped. But once his senior year rolled around, there was still hope that a Power-5 school would swoop in at the last second. When that didn’t materialize, the door at the Perryman Athletic Complex swung wide open, thanks to an assist from a program legend. “My dad was a pretty big deal back when he played,” Elliott said. Spurned by the two instate schools, Demarcus turned his attention to his dad’s alma mater, and on Jan. 18, 2018, he committed to the Broncbusters. “I want to thank coach Jeff Sims for believing in me,” Elliott said after he pledged. “I am proud to say I am 100 percent committed to Garden City Community College.”

“It’s a totally different world here. Everything is so organized. They’ve got nutritionists and an amazing workout facility. It’s definitely a dream come true,” -said Elliott about his time at Indiana

The feeling around town was that Garden City stole Demarcus in the middle of the night. For all the lack of interest he had received from Division-I schools, every Junior College in the state would have gladly welcomed him to their campus. “Demarcus is a true example of what Junior College is all about,” Sims said. “Here is a guy that could be a major Division-I player. Yet, he didn’t have the offers. Now he comes to Garden City Community College, and we have the chance to make him even better.” In high school, Elliott was a star on and off the field. He was a full NCAA qualifier, meaning he could play one year and transfer out. “I just want to get better and get out,” Elliott said. “That’s the plan.”

greatest tragedies in the history of Kansas high school sports. Sound like an exaggeration? Not in the slightest. Every year throughout the state, players get passed over. Sometimes it’s physical tools; other times it’s location. For Elliott, he had the physical tools. But the precedent had already been set-Western Kansas gets neglected when it comes to recruiting. “Demarcus deserves to be at a big-time school,” Hill said after the 2017 season. “There’s no question in my mind what he can do.” Elliott could have walked on at Kansas State. There were some smaller FCS programs that showed interest, and some Division II’s that

DEMARCUS ELLIOTT ◊◊ ◊◊ ◊◊ WITH ELLIOTT NOW IN THE FOLD, Sims and his staff worked to turn his body into a full-fledged weapon. As a senior in high school, Elliott’s playing weight fluctuated between 280 and 290 lbs. And while some at his size would have redshirted their first year, there was no such plan in the works for D-Mac. Elliott worked tirelessly to reshape his body, getting his weight up to about 300 lbs. On the first day of fall camp during conditioning drills, Elliott was in fine form, flying around during 40-yard wind sprints. “That guy busted his butt to get where he’s at,” Sims said. “He worked harder than anyone this summer.” That hard work paid off, and Elliott was named a starter for the Broncbusters’ season opener vs. Dodge City. “I’m ready for the challenge,” Elliott said two days before the 2018 opener. “I’m ready to prove that I can play at this level. It drives me more than anyone knows.” Elliott started 10 games as a true freshman, recording 19 tackles and one sack. He was part of one of the best defensive units in the country, as the Broncbusters claimed their second conference title in three years, and earned a trip back to the National Championship Game. “I’ve learned so much from playing here this season,” Elliott said. “Coach Sims took a chance on me. He told me how great I could be. I still have a lot of work to do. Junior College is a very humbling experience, and it’s one that will definitely help me as I move on.” Against East Mississippi on National Television, the freshman showed out. He recorded two tackles and a fumble recovery, helping keep Garden City in the game. Trailing 10-3 early in the fourth quarter, Dedrick Mills found the end zone from a yard out on fourth-and goal. But the Lions stopped Kahari Love dead in his tracks on the two-point conversion attempt, and Garden City never scored again. “Obviously this season didn’t end the way we wanted it to,” Sims said after the game. “But I’m so proud of these guys. We were right there. I’m so proud of Demarcus. Nobody wanted him out of Garden City High School, and now he just played on National Television in the National Championship Game. That’s what Junior College is all about.” “I never got a chance to play in that big of a game in high school,” Elliott said. “It was something I’ll never forget.” Elliott didn’t have much time to reflect. As soon as the game was done, he was off to a recruiting visit at UMASS. And there was more change on the horizon. But the bigger question still loomed: was the standout defensive tackle committed for one more season, or would he finally get an offer that was too good to pass up.

FUEL FROM WITHIN DEMARCUS ELLIOTT ISN’T THE FIRST GREAT HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER TO BE OVERLOOKED. REMEMBER J.J. WATT. THE TEXANS’ DEFENSIVE MENACE ENDED UP AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN, AND AFTER A YEAR, CHOSE TO WALK ON AT WISCONSIN. THREE YEARS LATER, HE WAS THE 11TH PICK IN THE 2011 NFL DRAFT. CIRCUITOUS YES, BUT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

On November 11, 2018, Sims was named the new head coach at Missouri Southern State. Following the National Championship Game, Tom Minnick, the winningest coach in Arizona Western History, replaced him. But where did that leave Demarcus? “Demarcus Elliott is one of the best lineman we have,” Minnick said a few months after he was hired. “I’m just hopeful we can keep him.” That hope began to dwindle once Indiana showed interest. On May 3, Elliott made an official visit. 12 days later, he signed a national letter of intent, ending his Garden City career after just one season. “That’s a big loss for us,” Minnick said. “I can’t even begin to tell you how big. In the short time that I’ve been here, there wasn’t a harder worker than D-Mac.” Elliott landed in Bloomington in June, enrolled and was ready to roll. ◊◊ ◊◊ ◊◊ EVERYTHING MOVES FAST AT D-I. Less than two months after arriving on campus, Elliott opened his first fall camp as a Power-5 recruit. Against Ball State in the Hoosiers’ season opener, Elliott recorded two tackles. He added four more last week vs. Eastern Illinois. But his biggest contribution came on the Hoosier’s first defensive series, when on third-and-14, D-MAC smothered Panthers’ quarterback John Brantley for a two-yard loss. The freshman bounced to his feet and immediately pumped his fist. He had done it. From dominating the youth league in Garden City to playing Power-5 football in front of nearly 40,000 people. Mission accomplished. “It’s a totally different world here,” Elliott said. “Everything is so organized. They’ve got nutritionists and an amazing workout facility. It’s definitely a dream come true.” No, he’s not in Kansas anymore. He’s playing in the Big 10, right where he’s always belonged.

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GARDEN CITY CAME INTO THEIR WEEK-THREE SHOWDOWN WITH ELLSWORTH AS HEAVY FAVORITES. BUT WITH INJURIES ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE, HOW WOULD THE BUSTERS RESPOND.

ust call them “Running Back U.”

In their week-two win over Dodge City, the Broncbusters had four different tail backs reach the end zone. Seven days later, they nearly did it again, putting together a rushing attack that looks eerily familiar to the one that took the nation by storm in 2018. Ramon Jefferson, the Freshman All-American from Maine, rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns, Ellis Merriweather added 120 yards and two scores, and No. 10 Garden City annihilated Ellsworth 61-0 Saturday night at Broncbuster Stadium. It was the eighth-most lopsided victory in program history. “We played pretty well,” Head Coach Tom Minnick said. “We were used to the option because we saw it with Eastern Arizona. It was a little different type of option. But still, we need to get a lot better.” Maybe so, but regardless of the opponent, what Garden City did on Saturday was truly an eye opener. And dating back to last week, the Broncbusters have now scored 96 unanswered points. “The good thing is that we usually get better as the year goes along,” Minnick said. “We were without a lot of key players tonight, so I’m surprised we did as well as we did.” The Broncbusters took control of this game from the start. Only an MJ link dropped pass in the end zone prevented Garden City from scoring a touchdown on their opening drive. Instead they settled for a 43-yard field goal by Andres Dos Santos Aires. It was definitely a sign of good things to come. Following an Ellsworth three-and-out (Garden City forced nine of them on the night), Garden City went to work. Quarterback Nate Cox floated a perfect rainbow down the left sideline for Dominick Watt, who smoked Jaron Kilpatrick for a 59-yard gain. On the very next play, Jefferson juked his way 17 yards to the end zone, giving the brown and gold a 10-0 lead with 10:25 remaining in the first. “What’s encouraging, is that we will get a lot of guys back going forward,” Minnick said. “We will get Andrew Theobald back next week, which will help out our running game.” That’s a scary thought, considering that the Broncbusters rushed for 391 yards on 38 carries, averaging an incredible 10.3 yards per tote. Up by 10, Garden City put together their most impressive drive of the game. The Broncbusters marched 85 yards in nine plays, bleeding nearly six minutes off the clock. It included a 16-yard run by Jefferson on third-and-3 and a 28yard laser from Cox to Parker that set Garden City up at the 10. Moments later, Jefferson found the end zone again, zig zagging in from 10 yards out, extending the lead to 17-0. “I’m happy to get the win,” Minnick said. “This is college football, so you take any win when you can get it.” The offensive fireworks continued late in the first quarter when Jefferson’s 40-yard run on third-and-5, setup Merriweather’s six-yard rushing touchdown on the final play of the period to make it 24-0. The sophomore added a spectacular 27-yard score in the second quarter, Dos Santos Aires drilled a 19-yard field goal, and Kenny White put an

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

9.7.19 VS. ELLSWORTH

an exclamation mark on the first half with a 59-yard scoop and score, putting the finishing touches on a 30-minute stretch that saw Garden City out gain Ellsworth 320-52. “It’s pretty easy to find teaching moments in a game like this,” Minnick explained. “I don’t

really recall a major blown assignment from anyone, but we need to correct a lot of things because the good guys start rolling in next week. Independence is a very good football team.” Garden City never really slowed down in the second half. On

their first possession, Cox connected with Merriweather for 19 yards and Troy’von Johnson for 17. Then it was running back Jordan Ford, who maneuvered 28 yards to the end zone, pushing the Broncbuster lead to 48-0. “Our offense is pretty

offense is pretty complicated for Junior College kids, and it takes them a while to pick stuff up,” Minnick said. “But they’re starting to gel.” Nothing electrified the home crowd more than what Jefferson did later in the third quarter. With less than six minutes to go, the sophomore took the hand off from backup quarterback Marvin Washington, bounced to the right sideline and was gone, racing 75 yards to the house. And it was all setup by a fantastic block on the perimeter by Watt, who paved the way for Jefferson’s third touchdown of the night. “Like I said last week, we want guys that want to play football,” Minnick said. “Those guys buy in, and we could be really good. We’ll see.” Garden City closed the scoring in the final period when

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2019 BRONCBUSTER FOOTBALL

this profession. But watching Minnick on the sidelines on Saturday had to be as rewarding as ever. It wasn’t a masterpiece by any stretch. There were big plays allowed. There were more dropped balls. But something that the veteran head coach can take solace in is this: whatever went wrong on Saturday, the Broncbusters absolutely blitzed their opponent. It was an offensive performance that would have had the ‘98 Vikings jealous. And with Hayes sidelined for most of the night, Jefferson, Merriweather and Ford picked up the slack in a major way. That in itself, should give Minnick plenty of comfort as the most brutal part of their schedule awaits.

defensive lineman Darael Dugar punched the ball free from backup quarterback Kvonte Baker, and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown. It was a fitting ending to a night where the defense forced three more turnovers, bringing their season total to nine in just three games. Putting it more into context, the Broncbusters scored two defensive touchdowns in this game. They had two all of last season. The Broncbusters totaled a season-best 583 yards and 19 first downs. Cox finished 9-of-14 for 192 yards. He hasn’t thrown an intercepon the ground. White tallied five tion yet this season. Ford added 69 tackles and a 60-yard fumble yards on 13 carries and a touchreturn for a touchdown, and down, and Washington had 42 yards Ryan McClain totaled five tackles, a quarterback pressure and a fumble recovery. AJ Payne completed just 2-of-7 passes for 41 yards for Ellsworth, who lost their ninth game in a row. The Panthers totaled just 101 yards, marking the sixth straight game where they’ve been held under 200, and were 0-for-12 on third down.

GOBRONCBUSTERS.COM

“Now we will see where we go from here,” Minnick said. “As long as we continue to get better, we will be fine.” Most coaches are cynics by nature. You almost have to be in

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Orange Trucks!

Good luck,

Broncbusters! Brian & Alicia Weber Scott & Judy Stewart

GARDEN CITY ROSTER 1-D

Zihir Lacewell Staten Island, NY

6'3

190

Antoine Davis Macon, GA

5'9

165

Paul Finau Seattle, WA

6'4

360

RSO

1-O

Troy'Von Johnson St. Petersburg, FL

5'9

160

Chris Smith Dacula, GA

6'2

200

Michael Cannon Sarasota, FL

6'4

350

RFR

Dominick Watt Hollywood, FL

6'2

215

Zyheir Jones Lakewood, NJ

6'1

185

Basa Balanganayi Palatine, IL

6'4

330

3-D

Kenny White Gibsonia, PA

5'11

190

DJ McCullough Tampa, FL

6'1

185

Nymonta Doucoure Columbus, OH

6'4

350

RFR

3-O

Justin Morehead New Haven, CT

6’0

175

Renard Bozeman Ft. Lauderdale, FL

5'10

180

Andrew Theobald Boise, ID

6'5

310

RFR

4-D

Willie Hampton Casselberry, FL

6'1

230

Ramon Jefferson Bronx, NY

5'11

218

RSO

Dennis Johnson Fort Wayne, IN

6’1

180

RFR

5-O

Jadon Hayes Huntington, WV

5'10

180

Anthony Jordan Baltimore, MD

6'0

180

RSO

Kyel Grover Chicago, IL

6'2

180

5-D

Ali Gaye Redmond, WA

6'6

280

Christopher Rolack II Tampa, FL

6'1

175

Scieneaux Jarmon Chandler, AZ

6'4

205

RFR

6-O

Bryce Parker Upland, CA

6'4

220

Tre Green Bell Glade, FL

6'1

180

RSO

Maleak Bryant Atlanta, GA

6'5

255

RFR

6-D

Shemar Pearl Plano, TX

6'6

235

Jordan Ford Atlanta, GA

5'10

180

Jehiel Hill Phoenix, AZ

6'6

230

7-O

Ellis Merriweather Atlanta, GA

6'1

215

RSO

Landon Williams Castle Rock, CO

MJ Link Lakeland, FL

5'11

185

RFR

7-D

Jordon Riley Durham, NC

6'5

330

RSO

Rasuwl Martin Greenwood, SC

6'1

185

Jacobi Bellazin Livonia, LA

5'9

175

8-O

Marvin Washington Orlando, FL

6’1

202

RSO

Adrian Hopper Wichita, KS

6'0

180

RFR

Eilye-Oshaye Hill Phoenix, AZ

6'3

295

8-D

Darius Johnson Spokane, WA

6'3

290

Willie Ervin Indianapolis, IN

6'1

200

RFR

Jaiveon Gardner Pensacola, FL

6'3

250

RFR

9-D

Bryce Damous Huntington, WV

6'2

225

Shyheem Lewis Spotsylvania, VA

6'1

195

Andre Dos Santos Brazil

6'5

210

9-O

Aamir Holmes Chicago, IL

6'1

180

Darael Dugar Chicago, IL

6'1

220

Jadarius Bernard Port St. Lucie, FL

6'2

320

Cole Beckham Jacksonville, FL

6'3

230

Kester Olson Fayetteville, AR

6'0

190

Taishan Holmes Tappahannock, VA

6'2

300

11-D

Sam Moala Reno, NV

6'3

255

RSO

Kevin Verwayne Marietta, GA

6'3

235

Daniel Lavelle Forsyth, GA

6'4

265

Nate Cox Lafayette, LA

6'9

240

RSO

Jimyon Profit Baton Rouge, LA

6'1

225

Motu Amotai Sparks, NV

6'2

290

Deandre Wallace Waterbury, CT

6'5

205

Ryan McClain Albuquerque, NM

6'3

260

Janil Brown West Palm Beach, FL

6'3

310

Josh Artis Macungie, PA

6'4

220

Christian Fuhrman Queen Creek, AZ

6'1

230

Arvell Ferguson St. Louis, MO

6'4

220

Richard Merritt Largo, MD

6'5

370

RSO

Mason Nguyen Glendale, AZ

6'1

190

Martez Jones Kirkwood, MO

6'1

200

Krishon Merriweather St. Louis, MO

6'0

220

Kendall Brown Jacksonville, FL

6'4

310

Kevaughn Dingle Miami, FL

6'2

190

Matthan Hatchie Haleiwa, HI

6'4

275

Emilio Monsivais St. Louis, MO

6'3

215

RFR

Ryan Atkins Merrillville, IN

6'4

300

Jyheir Jones Lakewood, NJ

6'1

200

Jehiel Hill Phoenix, AZ

6'6

230

Cameron Johnson Perry, GA

5'11

180

Julian Clark Jacksonville, FL

6'5

305

RFR

Marcus Dean San Diego, CA

6'2

185

Julio Castillo Mayo, FL

6’6

320

RFR

INDY ROSTER 1-O

Nathaniel Dell Daytona Beach, FL

5'9

150

RFR

T'Shawn Wilkes Detroit, MI

6'2

200

Tuzany Sanerivi Kahuku, HI

6'4

285

1-D

Rich Hall Port St. Lucie, FL

6'1

200

RFR

Antoine Wright Miami, FL

6'5

205

Jalen Jackson Loganville, GA

6'2

295

2-O

Stephon Brown Kernersville, NC

6'5

225

RFR

Dante Smith Grandview, MO

5'8

185

RFR

Spencer Goldberg New Berlin, NY

6'2

305

RSO

2-D

TJ Kautai Euless, TX

6'2

240

Kamal Hadden River Rouge, MI

6'2

175

Joshua Johnson Gary, IN

6'3

365

3-D

Will Henry Lakewood, OH

6'4

250

RFR

Demarcus Griffin Charlotte, NC

5'9

165

Corey Diaz Shelbyville, KY

6'6

350

3-O

Morgan Ellison Reynoldsburg, OH

6'2

235

RSO

Calen Warren Cincinnati, OH

5’11

200

Lamar Barrett Bartow, FL

6'4

350

Nadab Joseph Miami, FL

6'2

190

RFR

Jamoi Hodge Winston Salem, NC

6'2

210

Joshua White Honolulu, HI

6'4

365

RFR

5-D

Deandre Butler Covington, GA

6'5

290

Mosiah Nasili'Kite Puyallup, WA

6'3

310

RFR

Brian Pennell West Lafayette, IN

6'0

170

5-O

Shermari Jones Cantonment, FL

6'1

210

Kendarias Moses Baton Rouge, LA

6'4

180

Anthony Duffy Murray, KY

6'3

195

Craig Wells West Palm Beach, FL

5’11

200

Deylon Williams Smyrna, TN

6'2

245

RSO

Nyier Clark Charlotte, NC

5’10

180

7-O

Teon Dollard Lake City, FL

205

Nathaniel Moss Kenner, LA

6'2

225

RFR

Kanaan Turnbull Loveland, CO

6'5

235

7-D

Jaylen Striker Tampa, FL

6'3

195

RFR

Rocky Savea Kapolei, HI

6'1

230

Derek Temple Portland, OR

6'5

230

8-D

Quay Hardin Chester, SC

6'2

175

RFR

Darrell Bailey St. George, UT

5’11

215

RFR

Quentin Moore Kenmore, WA

6'5

245

8-O

Thomas Muldrow Gurdon, AR

6'0

200

RFR

Harrison Taylor McDonough, GA

6'4

225

RFR

Christian Colon Independence, NC

6'4

345

9-O

Issac Beverly Del City, OK

6'1

195

RFR

Kuma Scanlan Federal Way, WA

5’11

230

Wilton Gaby Montreal, QC

6'3

250

RFR

9-D

Juawan Treadwell Crete, IL

5’11

185

RSO

Viliami Finau Euless, TX

6'3

325

Anthony Campbell Bartow, FL

6'6

245

Tyrice Knight Lakeland, FL

6'2

240

RFR

Eddie Ngungutau Euless, TX

6'3

345

Cokey Lee Montgomery, AL

6'2

235

Corbein Hagans Jacksonville, FL

6'3

210

Thomas O'Malley Montevideo, MN

6'3

315

Nadame Tucker Teaneck, ND

6'2

235

Colby Cooper Raleigh, NC

5’10

185

RFR

Nicholas Bailey Kansas City, MO

6'6

255

Zach Stokes Knoxville, TN

6'0

325

Denzel Houston Daytona Beach, FL

5’10

175

RFR

Erik McElroy Norco, CA

6'0

290

RSO

Ahmad Gilbert Charlotte, NC

6'6

215

Willie Brantley Conway, SC

5’10

195

RFR

William Knox Memphis, TN

6'3

265

Daunte Boudy Vail, AZ

6'2

295

Raekwon Heath Columbia, SC

6'1

200

Jalin Troutman Mt. Washington, KY

6'1

255

Quintevin Cherry Broken Arrow, OK

6'3

200

Johari Branch Chicago, IL

6'3

320

Mike Pope Del City, OK

6'1

250

RFR

Bryan Gomez Fort Meyers, FL

6'4

345

Syrus Dumas Birmingham, AL

5’10

165

Jeremy Flax Detroit, MI

6'6

320

Nicholas Days Miami, FL

6'2"

215

RFR

Pesi Savea Kapolei, HI

6'7

325

Wallace Melton Phenix City, AL

5’11

180

Rachon Gulley Harper Woods, MI

6'4

355

Reggie Williams Houma, LA

5’10

170

Tanner Childress Tuscosn, AZ

5’11

255

Daquan Wilson Palm Beach, FL

6'3

155

Javier Duran Jackson, NJ

6'2

265

RSO

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

BAA BOARD

DOYLE MCGRAW

MAXINE ATKINSON

PRESIDENT

YVONNE SPERRY MEMBER

MANNY ORTIZ

VICE PRESIDENT

SEAN SHEETS MEMBER

TREASURER

CARLA ALGRIM MEMBER

JEFF LOPEZ MEMBER

THE BRONCBUSTER ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN SERVING STUDENT-ATHLETES FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. IT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS

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2019 BRONCBUSTER FOOTBALL

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

STARTING LINEUPS GARDEN CITY

INDEPENDENCE

BRONCBUSTER OFFENSE

INDEPENDENCE OFFENSE

Pos

Player

Hgt

Wgt

Pos

Player

Hgt

Wgt

Kendall Brown

6-5

290

Nymonta Doucoure

6-4

315

RFR

Pesi Savea

6-7

325

Johari Branch

6-3

320

Matthan Hatchie

6-4

295

Erik McElroy

6-0

290

RSO

Paul Finau

6-3

Julian Clark

6-5

330

RSO

Lamar Barrett

6-4

350

310

RFR

Jeremy Flax

6-6

320

Bryce Parker

6-4

220

Quentin Moore

6-5

245

Dominick Watt

6-2

210

Raekwon Heath

6-1

200

Deandre Wallace

6-4

210

Nathaniel Dell

5-9

150

RFR

Troy’Von Johnson

5-9

160

Willie Brantley

5-10

195

RFR

Jadon Hayes

5-10

180

Shermari Jones

6-1

210

Nate Cox

6-9

230

RSO

Stephon Brown

6-5

225

RFR

BRONCBUSTER DEFENSE

BUSTERS VS. PIRATES

OFFICIALS Referee

Dayton Dobrinski

Umpire

Kyle Karns

Linesman

Elgie Hill

Line Judge

Jason Wetz

Side Judge

Michael Self

Field Judge

Joshua Schmidt

Pos

Player

Hgt

Wgt

Dann Schwinger

Deandre Butler

6-5

290

Aaron Dietz

Mosiah Nasili’Kite

6-3

310

RFR

INDEPENDENCE DEFENSE

Pos

Player

Hgt

Wgt

Ali Gaye

6-6

275

Darius Johnson

6-2

310

Jordon Riley

6-5

310

RSO

Viliami Finau

6-3

325

Ryan McClain

6-3

260

Deylon Williams

6-2

245

RSO

Willie Hampton

6-1

230

RFR

Corbein Hagans

6-3

210

Krishon Merriweather

6-1

220

TJ Kautai

‘2

240

Jyheir Jones

6-1

200

Jamoi Hodge

6’2

210

DJ McCullough

6-1

185

Kamal Hadden

6’2

175

Rennard Bozeman

6-0

185

Jaylen Striker

6-3

195

RFR

Kenny White

5-11

190

Calen Warren

5’11

200

Anthony Jordan

5-11

200

RSO

Juawan Treadwell

5’11

185

RSO

OPPORTUNITY USA

Back Judge Center Judge

2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

#ROAD TO PITTSBURG

hen season four, episode three of Netflix’s acclaimed series Last Chance U is released next July, all anyone will remember is what happened once the final whistle sounded. But in all reality, that was just the appetizer. The main course was a lot more spicy. Charles West and Dedrick Mills combined for 267 yards on the ground while the defense pitched a second-half shutout as the seventh-ranked Broncbusters stormed back from a 21-3 deficit to beat No. 13 Independence 28-21 Saturday night at Shulthis Stadium. After the game, Pirates’ coach Jason Brown had to be restrained while going after Jeff Sims. “There’s no game that shows our players’ work ethic more than this game,” Sims said afterwards. “Our guys didn’t play a quarter; they didn’t play a half; they played every single play.” In the same setting last season, Garden City (3-0, 2-0) struck first, thanks to a plethora of Independence (1-2, 1-2) mistakes. A year later, the tables and the script flipped. Florida State-transfer Malik Henry, who was considered the second-best quarterback coming out of high school in the 2016 class, surprised everyone when he trotted out for the Pirates’ first series. He then reminded all in attendance of why he was rated so high, unleashing a bomb down the right sideline that Markiese King snatched out of the air for a 69-yard touchdown on the first play of the game.

turning it on BY MIKE PILOSOF

PHOTOS BY COLIN LAMB

WITH THE NETFLIX CAMERAS ROLLING, GARDEN CITY FELL BEHIND 21-3. WITH TENSIONS MOUNTING, THE BRONCBUSTERS STAGED AN EPIC COMEBACK. AND OH YEAR, THERE WERE PLENTY OF FIREWORKS AFTERWARDS

“We’ve been spooked the last two times we’ve come here,” Sims said. “Independence is good, and they’ve got a lot of talent.” After the Broncbusters went three-and-out, the Pirates struck again. On third-and-11 from their own 12, Otumous Payemanu delivered what could have been an early knockout blow. The sophomore broke containment and jetted 88 yards for a touchdown, giving Independence a 14-0 edge four minutes into the contest. “It took us a while to buy into what we were doing,” Sims admitted. On its heels after a Labrentae Davis false start that short circuited Garden City’s next drive, the Pirates quickly marched from their own 10 to the Broncbuster 42. It was do or time now. “We won this game weeks ago,” Sims said. “Our preparation and how hard these guys worked, is what won us this game.” With their defense needing a stop, Dillon Williams and Jabbar Price surged through the Pirates’ line and dropped Georgia-Tech transfer Jay Jones for a 10 yard loss on third-and-7. That one play seemed to ignite a fire, that finally got John Powers’ offense going. What ensued was a 13-play, 78-yard drive that resulted in a Ben Raybon’s 23-yard field goal that cut

1 NATIONAL TITLE • 12 JAYHAWK CHAMPIONSHIPS • 24 BOWL APPEARANCES

INDY 2018 Independence’s lead to 14-3 early in the second. But before the Broncbusters could completely get off the canvas, the Pirates struck again. King’s electrifying 88-yard kickoff return set them up at the Garden City 10. Two plays later, Payemanu powered into the end zone from seven yards out, giving the home squad a commanding 21-3 advantage with 10:41 to play in the half. “At that point, I begged our guys to believe in what we were doing,” Sims said. What transpired over the final 40:41, will be talked about for some time. It wasn’t just the comeback, it was the way it happened. Josh Hager’s defense stood toeto-toe with the so-called Dream U while the offense took it to another level. In the end, Garden City polished off the biggest comeback victory of the Sim’s era.

broke his collarbone at Highland, add- about the Broncbuster defense, ed the two-point conversion, and the who, after giving up 179 yards Broncbusters trailed 21-18 at the half. in the first quarter, limited the Pirates to 113 over the final three “How about what Dedrick and Charles periods. They also produced did tonight,” Sims said. “That’s the sto- three sacks, bringing their seary. How about our offensive line. These son total to 10. guys worked their tails off, and I’m so happy for them.” “There were cameras everyDown 18 points, Mills and West imwhere,” Sims said. “I think that posed their will. The duo took turns The Broncbusters, once left for dead, caused us to pause a little bit. delivering hay makers, finishing appeared rejuvenated coming out of But when fell down 21-3, I told off a nine-play, 75-yard march that the locker room. And West provided our coaches that it’s hard to quarterback David Moore punctu- an extra injection of momentum. coach a team when you’re up 18 ated with a one-yard touchdown points. Now, they’re not necesrun to make it 21-10. The redshirt sophomore took the sarily going as hard.” opening kickoff of the third quarter, After Kyshonn Tyson and Heston juked two defenders and was off to Lameta combined to sack Jones the races. His destination: the Pirates’ on third down on the Pirates next end zone-a 91-yard return for a drive, Garden City drove 80 yards touchdown that completely erased in 10 plays, highlighted by Moore’s an 18-point deficit and gave Garden absolute dime to Keyshawn Jones, City a 25-21 lead 12 seconds into the who plucked the ball from the second half. heavens while being harassed by two Pirate defenders for a gain of “We were getting beat because we 31 yards on third-and-8. Later in were hesitating early in this game,” the drive, Moore connected with Sims said. “You can’t hesitate against Dominick Watt for a 14-yard gain Independence. They’re too athletic; before Mills’ three-yard rushing they’re too good.” touchdown cut the deficit to five. The Georgia-Tech transfer, whose You know what else was good? How season ended last year when he

OPPORTUNITY USA

Raybon added his second field goal of the night: a 23-yarder with 7:53 to play that pushed Garden City’s lead to seven. Once Independence failed on a fourth down deep in their own end, the Broncbusters had a chance to put the game away. But Raybon missed a 27-yard field goal, giving the Pirates new life with 2:14 to go. Independence proceeded to move the ball from their own 20 to the 41. On fourth-and-3,

2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

INDY 2018 Henry found Payemanu for a 15-yard gain down the right sideline. But the play of the game may have been an accident. On second-and 10 from the Pirates 44, Payemanu got free up the middle. But thanks to Edwin Lopez’s foot, the sophomore back stumbled, and instead of a long touchdown run, Independence was limited to a seven-yard gain. Eventually, they were starting at a fourth-and-3 at the Garden City 37. Henry dropped back, rolled to his right, and fired an errant pass over the middle, squashing the Pirates’ comeback attempt, while completely eliminating them from National Championship contention. Moore, making his first start at quarterback for Garden City, was 10-of-17 for 112 yards. West notched his fifth career 100-yard rushing game, totaling 142 on 26 carries, and Mills added 22 totes for 125 yards and a touchdown. Brian Boyd caught a team-best five balls for 37. Henry was 5-of-14 for 103 yards and a touchdown for the Pirates, who lost their second straight game. Payemanu rushed for 106 yards on seven carries, becoming just the fifth 100-yard rusher against the Broncbuster defense in the last 27 games.

“THERE WERE CAMERAS EVERYWHERE. I THINK THAT CAUSED US TO PAUSE A LITTLE BIT. BUT WHEN WE FELL DOWN 213, I TOLD OUR COACHES THAT IT’S HARD TO COACH A TEAM WHEN YOU’RE UP 18 POINTS. THE OTHER GUYS AREN’T GOING THAT HARD.” -HEAD COACH JEFF SIMS

JASON BROWN AND JEFF SIMS EXCHANGED SOME HEATED REMARKS FOLLOWING THE BRONCBUSTERS 28-21 VICTORY IN 2018. BROWN WAS FORCED TO RESIGN AFTER THE SEASON FOR SENDING A MESSAGE TO ONE OF HIS GERMAN PLAYERS SAYING THAT HE WAS HIS NEW HITLER.

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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Full Name Major Jersey Position Height Class Hometown Date of Birth

Catherine Small Undecided 16 Midfield 5’8 SO Wichita, KS Nov. 20, 1999

WOMEN’S SOCCER

SMALL here may not be a tougher player on Corey Bryant’s team than Catherine Small. The sophomore has endured multiple ankle injuries this season, yet has still found a way into the starting lineup. And it’s been a life saver, considering that the Broncbusters only dressed 12 players for their Wednesdsay-night match vs. Hutchinson.

The transfer from Kansas City Community College, scored her lone goal in a 3-2 loss to Central on Aug. 24. She added an assist vs. Central and another in a 2-1 loss to Pratt on Sept. 7. “She’s tough, there’s no doubt about that,” Bryant said. “And she has a really big personality.”

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clay greeson Team Orthopedist

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