By Brant Daughtry
Great Bend Post Sports
The Great Bend Panther football program just graduated the most successful class in school history. Multiple three and four-year starters are now out of the red and black, but the cupboard is far from bare.
Panthers head coach Erin Beck has seen first-hand over his time the standard that prior Panthers have set, including last year's sub-state team. He says that pride and standard started a long time ago, and it's one of the reasons he's in Great Bend to begin with.
"You know, that's what attracted me to Great Bend, was just how much pride this community and school has in its football team. It's a lot bigger than me, it's a lot bigger than any one player, and you kinda see that. You see the way they come out and support these kids. That's probably the thing I take so much pride in is how hard they play. I know that's not a measure. You can't measure the heart of a kid. But you can see it and you can feel it and these kids, every day they're out there. They put everything they've got into it. They wanna be good. It's so nice to see the way the community supports these kids, and they deserve it."
When asked where that pride comes from, Beck said it starts in when the players are young, and only grows the more Great Bend has success.
"I feel like it starts at home, with the way their brought up, with the way these PKFL coaches out there putting in the time with their young kids, because they want them to be good, so when they get up here they get a chance to see their sons play. And then it trickles into our administration. They're outstanding. They love to support our football team in any way they can.
"These kids take a ton of pride in the traditions before them... Even if you look back at last year. All the things those kids instilled in this program, this team and these guys want to carry on. That's neat to see."
Great Bend opens the year hosting Scott City in Memorial Stadium, called by Mike Hesher and Shawn Behr on B104.3 The Point.