After a 7-7 tie at halftime, the Liberal Redskins did not score in the second half in a 21-7 loss to the Garden City Buffaloes Friday night at Redskin Field. It snaps Liberal’s three game winning streak against the rival Buffaloes. Liberal’s defense was worn down late at the LHS offense struggled with field position and first downs especially in the third quarter. The Redskins had 161 yards at halftime but only 84 in the second half. Both teams committed three turnovers a piece.
The Angry Red forced Garden City to a 3 and out on their first possession. Liberal quarterback Bren Kappelmann hit Alvin Amador for a 38 yard pass play to the GCHS 30 but threw an interception on the next play. The Buffaloes traversed to the Redskin 1 but fumbled on 4th and goal from the one and Bentlee Betts recovered in the endzone. It was 0-0 after one. Ismael Calderon forced a GC fumble which Bentlee Betts recovered on the GC 21. Landry Fitzgerald’s 16 yard touchdown run and Ariel Gaytan’s PAT made it 7-0 Skins with 9:38 to play in the half. Garden scored on a one yard run by Jakobe Rathbun at the 7:20 mark to tie the game at 7-7. Liberal had a chance to take the lead late in the first half with a first and goal from the GCHS 5 with 11 seconds left but no time outs. LHS threw an interception and it was 7-7 at the half.
The Buffaloes took the lead after Liberal’s offense stalled and then a short punt by LHS gave GCHS the ball on the 27 of LHS after the return. Garden City’s Tatum Heavner hit Ryder Carr for an 18 yard touchdown to lead 13-7 after the missed PAT with 39 seconds to go in the third. Garden intercepted Liberal for a third time setting up a 12 yard run by Kevin Valembrun to seal the game with 4:06 to play in the game.
Alvin Amador was Community Bank Player of the Game for his play on both sides of the ball. Amador had 5 catches for 105 yards. Bentlee Betts had 15 tackles including two for loss. Betts also recovered two fumbles. Landry Fitzgerald registered 13 tackles. Evan Castillo had 11 tackles. Gio Duran had seven tackles. Unofficially, Garden City had 303 yards and Liberal had 266. Bren Kappelmann was 8-17 for 139 yards and rushed for 45 yards. Landry Fitzgerald rushed for 56 yards. Official stats will be added to the story later.
Garden City is 3-2 and 1-2 in the WAC. Liberal is 3-2 and 1-1 in the WAC. The Redskins play at Great Bend Friday night at 7pm with Redskin Pre-game at 6pm on 1270 and 92.3 FM. Southern Pioneer Electric Rowdy Crowd Show Thursday at 5:30 on 1270 and 92.3 FM.
