West named KJCCC Offensive Player of the Week

By Mike Pilosof

Garden City, KS-Charles West has waited his turn for years.

He was once a highly-touted running back out of Coppell, TX. There was Utah and BYU signings that never panned out. And then there was his freshman season in Garden City, one in which he eventually redshirted as Tra Minter went onto to become one of the nation's best backs.

Now in 2018, West is once again sharing the spotlight, but it's one he doesn't mind at all.

On Tuesday, the sophomore was named the Jayhawk Conference Offensive Player of the Week after his scintillating 18 carry, 237-yard performance in Saturday's 57-17 victory over Fort Scott.

"Charles West is the fastest back I have ever seen," starting center Howard Watkins said. "Once he gets to the edge, you aren't going to catch him."

West and his backfield mate Dedrick Mills each topped 200 yards for the second time this season. It was a feat that had never been accomplished in the history of the program before 2018.

"We don't have two Division-I running backs," Sims said. "We have two guys that will be playing on Sunday."

West is also the first Broncbuster running back since Jeff Blanchard in 2006 to rush for 100 yards or more in five straight games. If he does it again on Saturday, he will tie a mark that hasn't been touched in 22 years. Tyler Wilson is the last back to go over the century mark in six straight contests.

"We've gotten so much better as an offensive line, and there is still much more improving that we need to do," Watkins said. "But all we need to do is give these guys a crack, and they're gone. It's fun to watch them work."

Garden City hosts Iowa Central on Saturday a 1 p.m.