13 Broncbusters land on All-Conference team
By Mike Pilosof
Photo by Adam Shrimplin
Garden City, KS-Once again, Tom Minnick's team left their mark on one of the craziest seasons in history.
Despite only playing eight games, the fewest since 1949, the Broncbusters placed 13 players on the All-Conference squad this week, led by first teamers Jordan Ford, Raymond Cutts, Arvell Ferguson Keylon Kennedy, and Jonathan Huggins.
"Considering everything, we had a good spring," Head Coach, Tom Minnick said. "Our goal every year is to win the National Championship. We gave ourselves a chance in that regard."
Ford may have been the best kept secret in the NJCAA. After seeing minimal time as a freshman, the Georgia native burst onto the scene in 2021, becoming the second Broncbuster running back in the last three years to win the rushing title. The sophomore totaled 1,039 yards and 12 touchdowns, surpassing the century mark five times including a career-best 222 in a 52-40 victory over Butler in the spring finale.
"Jordan is as tough as they come," Minnick explained. "He battled through an ankle injury and still led the country in rushing."
Ford wasn't the only one making headlines. Safety, Jonathan Huggins, played in only four games before injuring his arm, was the leader of Jerry Dominguez's vaunted defensive unit. The University of Florida transfer tallied 24 tackles including eight for loss and had one fumble recovery. He recorded a season-high eight stops in the Broncbusters 14-10 come-from-behind win over Independence on Apr. 17.
"Jonathan was the best player on the field, and the leader of our defense," Minnick stated. "It was a major loss without him in the game."
Joining Huggins on the All-KJCCC defensive first team was lineman Raymond Cutts, who finished the season with 32 tackles and a team-best 4.5 sacks. The Central-Florida transfer was fourth in the league in quarterback takedowns and 23rd in stops. He teamed up with Ferguson, who tallied 29 tackles, seven for loss, a forced fumble and three pass breakups. Those two along with defensive back Keylon Kennedy, who became one of the best cover corners in the Jayhawk Conference, spearheaded one of the top defenses in the country. The sophomore, who was an All-MIAA performer at Fort Hays State before transferring to Garden City, had 15 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and one breathtaking red-zone interception vs. Independence.
"Our defense was consistent all season," Minnick said. "And we were shorthanded for a few games, which makes the job those guys did even more impressive."
The second team was highlighted by wide receiver Khamran Laborn, who posted two 100-yard receiving games including an eight-catch, 131-yard masterpiece vs. top-ranked Hutchinson on Apr. 25. He was also named a first-team special teams performer.
The second team also included offensive linemen Isaiah Adams and Nymonta Doucoure along with defensive tackles Eilye Hill and Darius Johnson. Defensive end Kevin Abrams-Verwayne and center Carter Habich, were named honorable mentions.