Sure, the Class 6A District 8 game between the Garden City Buffaloes and Dodge City Red Demons has playoff implications. But extra incentive isn’t required for the players to get ready in this annual rivalry game.
“It’s something that’s important to this community,” Dodge City coach Dave Foster said of the Hatchet Game. “I’ve coached in three states and coaches in some big games, but I’ve never seen a rivalry quite like this where it’s that important to the community. They know if the hatchet isn’t in your hallway, then it’s somewhere else.”
Dodge City will try to keep the hatchet at its high school as the Red Demons (3-5, 0-2 district) travel to Garden City (5-3, 1-1). The game will be featured on Friday Night Live, which is broadcast statewide on Kansas Cox 22.
The Buffaloes will advance to the playoffs with a win. In order for Dodge City to make the playoffs, it will need to beat the Buffaloes by at least 13 points and hope that Maize can earn a lopsided victory against Hutchinson.
“I know everybody has a lot of goals as a team, but our No. 1 goal here at Garden City High School is to win the Hatchet Game,” Garden City coach Brian Hill said. “I think it’s what you’re judged on as a coach at Garden City. It means more than to just the high school program. Because we’re so close together, it’s really a 365-day victory when you can get it.”
Garden City is coming off an emotional 35-24 victory against Hutchinson. Before last week, the Buffaloes hadn’t defeated the Salthawks since 1999.
The Buffaloes are led by quarterback Greyson Tempel. The senior signal caller has passed for more than 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns and has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“He’s kind of done it all for us,” Hill said. “He’s a dual threat. He can run and throw it. He’s just done a great job of leading this football team. His teammates love playing for him and know he’s going to make a play at some point during the game.”
He has several targets to choose from in senior Dustin Tempel (36 receptions, 581 yards), junior Caleb Tramp (31 receptions, 636 yards) and senior Mitchell Hernandez (19 receptions, 347 yards).
Greyson and Dustin Tempel have a special rapport as a quarterback-receiver combo. The brothers are triplets along with their sister Taryn, who also is a standout athlete.
“It’s truly the twin combination,” Hill said. “We’ve had it a few times where the coach will stand on the sidelines saying, ‘What are you doing?’ Then the next breath is, ‘Great pass.’ They just have that twin or triplet connection that they just seem to know where the other is at all times.”
The Red Demons are coming off a 17-14 loss to Maize. Dodge City had a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but a 43-yard field goal attempt fell short.
Kellan Newton leads the Dodge City offense under center. Blaike Middleton has been key in the Red Demons’ running game. Despite having a losing record, Dodge City has outscored opponents 196-185 on the season.
Dodge City won last year’s Hatchet Game 24-20. Garden City beat the Red Demons 18-15 in 2011. Since 2008, Dodge City has won four of the past five meetings. However, the largest victory in that span was by eight points.
This year’s meeting will be re-telecast at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 and at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7.
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