Wilson named offensive POY; 11 make all-conference squad
By Mike Pilosof
Garden City, KS-It was a big week for Broncbuster football.
After serving up a 69-0 beat down of Fort Scott on Saturday, the program's most lopsided win in history, Garden City was well represented on the All-Conference team.
Quarterback Terry Wilson was named the Jayhawk Offensive Player of the Year while defensive lineman Auston Robertson, tight end Nigel Kilby and return specialist Taylor Thomas were selected to the All-Jayhawk first team. Wide receiver Daniel Davis, punter James Dall were second teamers and running back Charles West, linebackers Rayshaun Wilborn and Matt Terrell, defensive back Warren Saba and kicker James white were honorable mentions.
"This team has come a long way since early in the season," Head Coach Jeff Sims said. "They've worked hard, and are being rewarded for it."
Wilson finished the regular season second in the Jayhawk Conference in passing yards, first in touchdown passes with 22 and first in efficiency. The Oregon-transfer is sixth in the nation in touchdown tosses.
Robertson, who transferred over the summer from Michigan State, was an unstoppable force on the defensive line registering 71 tackles, good for 10th in the conference and 53rd in the country. His seven sacks ranked fourth in the conference while he was second in tackles for loss with 13.
Kilby, who was a soccer star before turning to football in high school, was second in the Jayhawk with eight touchdown receptions, which also ranked eighth in the nation. His 10 catch, 115 yard, three-touchdown performance vs. Hutchinson back in week five, will go down as one of the best, single-game performances in recent memory.
For Thomas, landing on the all-conference team was the culmination of three years of hard work. The one-time Oregon State pledge arrived on campus during Sims' first season. He redshirted and was an instrumental part of the 2016 National Championship squad. This season, Thomas led the Jayhawk by averaging nearly 30 yards per kickoff return.
Davis may have landed on the second team, but his consistent showing all season long proved he is one of the best receivers in the country. His 58 catches led the conference, while his 578 yards were second behind Fort Scott's Edward Aldred. The sophomore had at least three catches in all 11 games.
If Garden City goes to a bowl game, West has a chance to join the 1,000-yard rushing club. That prestigious mark would land him on the program's top 20, all-time, single-season yardage list. He is 54 yards shy following his 177-yard performance vs. Fort Scott on Saturday. He's recorded three, 100-yard rushing games this season.
Terrell, the Virginia transfer, finished 27th in the nation in tackles while Wilborn was 18th in the conference in stops and 12th in sacks with 4.5. Saba's five interceptions were eighth most in the country; White led the Broncbusters with 64 points. He was 9-of-11 on field goals, nailing two 40-yarders vs. Fort Scott, and Dall was second in the conference in punt average.