West and Dall named KJCCC Players of the Week

By Mike Pilosof

Garden City, KS-Charles West laid in the north end zone at Gowans Stadium following his go-ahead touchdown reception during Saturday's come-from-behind victory over fourth-ranked Hutchinson. He was physically exhausted. Once he got to his feet, there was no celebration. He just flipped the ball to the official before being mobbed by his teammates on the Broncbusters' sideline.

Welcome to the professional world of playing for Jeff Sims.

"There's no talking between the lines," West said. "We let our play do the talking."

Well West did just that on Saturday, rushing for 131 yards on 30 carries while catching two balls, including the game winner, earning him Jayhawk Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. His teammate, punter James Dall, was name the special teams player of the week.

"We just have to keep believing in what the coaches have been telling us," West said. "That's why we are successful. We take things one game at a time."

The game winner was a feather in the cap for West, who earlier in the third quarter, atoned for a dropped screen pass when he lined up as a punt protector, took the direct snap, and ran 42 yards for a first down. He also had a first-down catch on Garden City's final drive.

Dall rarely receives the headlines, but all he's made a living flipping field position; a part of the game that Sims has helped him master.

"I was always told that punting is not a bad thing," the fourth-year coach said. "Sometimes, even if you punt on third down, you get better field position than if you were to go for it, where you could throw an interception or lose yardage."

Dall had a 62-yard bomb off his right foot in the third quarter, and pinned the Blue Dragons deep on another kick. He averaged nearly 50 yards per boot.

The Broncbusters can cement their place in the National Championship Game with a win over Butler on Saturday.