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CAM CAN: Kenney sparks Busters to win over Pirates

Published 10/8/2007 in Sports : GCCC By Tony Adame

Independence head coach Dave Ward knew it was coming.

He'd seen Garden City's Cameron Kenney do it over and over again this season.

Walk innocently back to punt the ball and, just like that, be off to the races for a big gain.

Still, neither Ward nor his Pirates could stop what has become an almost inevitable occurrence each time the Broncbusters play.

"It's Garden City's first series, and we stop them for three-and-out, so we're feeling pretty good," said Ward after the Garden City's 34-13 win Saturday at Memorial Stadium. "We tried to spy (Kenney), and we thought we had him and he takes it 80 yards to the house. That's a big blow early, to start like that. Kenney is their difference maker."

Kenney made all the difference Saturday in a game in which Garden City (5-1 overall, 4-1 league) came out uninspired on defense in the first half, and struggled all game for offensive continuity. Aside from Kenney's 80-yard touchdown run to open the game, he scored Garden City's first 20 points, including all 17 in the first half.

Kenney added an 18-yard touchdown catch from Eugene Smith in the second quarter, kicked two field goals, and connected on all four of his extra-point attempts.

"We did what we had to do, but we did not play very well," said Garden City head coach Lucas Aslin. "That was one of the ugliest games I've ever seen, and the tempo was just horrendous, like pulling teeth. Cameron Kenney made the difference for us tonight. Without him we don't win tonight, plain and simple."

Kenney finished with five catches for 76 yards, but down played his high-scoring night.

"The points don't matter to me," Kenney said. "All that matters is that at the end of the game when we're ahead on the scoreboard. Plays got to be made, so if my number gets called I'm going to go out and do my best to make them."

Kenney admitted he had a little extra motivation on homecoming night with his mother, Patti Roth, coming in from Georgia to watch him play.

"I knew she was coming out so I wanted to put on a good show," Kenney said. "She listens to the games on the internet usually, so I wanted to make it come to life for her."

After a halftime gut-check, the Garden City defense came to life. Linebacker J.R. Bryant led the way with a blocked punt, and the Broncbusters sacked Independence quarterback Jeff Schibi four times.

"We didn't even have block called," Bryant said. "But I was lined up 'A' gap and as soon as I saw an opening I took off."

Cornerback DeMarcus Robertson had arguably the game's biggest play, intercepting Schibi in the end zone after a fumble by Garden City's Luke Miller gave the Pirates (2-5, 2-3) the ball at the Garden City 20-yard line early in the third quarter with the Broncbusters clinging to a 20-13 lead.

Schibi tried to throw a fade to Andre Simmons in the corner of the end zone on Independence's first play and Robertson was there waiting.

The Garden City defensive backs held Simmons, the top receiver in the Jayhawk Conference, to six catches for 45 yards, and more importantly, no touchdowns.

"On the pick, I had a feeling they were going to try a fade and they underthrew it," Robertson said. "Going into the game they were saying that they were the best, but it wasn't a matter of showing disrespect, it was just a good matchup and we came out on top."

The Broncbusters added a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns by running back Maurice Greer to seal the win. Luke Miller got the start at quarterback for Garden City but rotated with Eugene Smith several times.

Garden City hits the road for back-to-back games starting Saturday against Air Force Prep at Colorado Springs.

"I hope this week scares the heck out of these kids, because we didn't play very good," Aslin said. "Hopefully they got the point and we can go out and take care of business."

------------

Independence 0 6 0 7 -- 13

Garden City 7 10 3 14 -- 34

First Quarter

GC -- Kenney 80 run (Kenney kick), 13:00

Second Quarter

I -- Schibi 1 run (Kick failed), 4:57

GC -- FG Kenney 31; 10:29

GC -- Kenney 18 pass from Smith (Kenney kick), 1:06

Third Quarter

GC -- FG Kenney 27; 10:27

Fourth Quarter

I -- Holliday 31 pass from Schibi (Shaw kick), 14:46

GC -- Greer 2 run (Kenney kick), 6:21

GC -- Greer 8 run (Kenney kick), 10:03

Individual Statistics

Rushing -- Garden City, Greer 15-33, E. Smith 8-29, Miller 4-0, Kenney 2-78, Chalmers 2-(minus 3), R. Smith 1-(minus 5), Independence, Farrow 18-71, Schibi 6-(minus 28), Richardson 2-6, Lamur 2-(minus 6), Claiborn 1-4.

Passing -- Garden City, E. Smith 6-9-0-90, Miller 4-8-0-53. Independence, Schibi 13-23-1-103, Lamur 0-1-0-0.

Receiving -- Garden City, 5-76, Chalmers 3-73, King 2-3. Independence Simmons 6-45, Holiday 5-97, Carter 3-16, Farrow 1-2.

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