Following Garden City’s 5-11-1 season in 2024, Buffaloes’ coach Jose Vital opted for a new tactical approach with a senior-laden group this season. 

“We have a  new formation, a different perspective on how we need to play. A little more on the riskier side,” Vital said. “At first, I had questions on whether or not they were going to be able to play our formation, which is a 3-4-3, but they've been handling it really well. Why reinvent the wheel when it's been working?”

Indeed, the aggressive approach has paid off big time for the Buffaloes, who are in the midst of one of their best seasons ever. 

Having already clinched the Western Athletic Conference championship, Garden City moved to 13-1-1 on the season with a 3-1 win at Hays on Thursday.

“They have really good chemistry,” Vital said.  “A lot of these boys have played together for a long time now. We started 11 seniors on senior night.”

The Buffaloes wrapped up WAC play with a 7-0-1 mark. Garden City outlasted Dodge City and Liberal in a three-way battle for the league title, the Buffaloes’ first since 2013. 

“It meant more than you can ever imagine,” Vital said. “I mean, I was literally in high school the last time we won the WAC. So it was just a huge relief, a lot of stress on our shoulders. I mean, the whole community has recognized what these boys are doing this year.”

The Buffaloes are led by captains Nestor Reyes and Saul Ortega. Senior goalkeeper Alfonso De La Rosa has been exceptional for the Buffaloes, who have allowed just 13 goals all season.

“[Reyes and Ortega] keep the boys locked down, and [De La Rosa] has been a stud,” Vital said. 

Striker Kenley Pierre is on a hot streak for the Buffaloes, scoring goals in each of the last six games, including two on Thursday against Hays. 

“It's just phenomenal to be watching him play and to be witnessing what these guys are doing,” Vital said. “They're about to break the record for one of the best records in Garden City High School history.”

Garden City and Dodge City played to a 1-1 tie in their first matchup before the Buffaloes earned a 2-1 win in the second meeting. Garden City, which took its only loss against Kapaun, earned 1-0 and 2-0 wins against Liberal, handing the 10-2 Redskins their only losses. 

Dodge City, runner-up in 6A last year, is under a new head coach in Raul De La Torre. The Red Demons have fashioned a 10-2-1 record. 

“The WAC is no joke,” Vital said. “ I always give great admiration and great respect for these teams. Hays, Liberal, Dodge and even Great Bend. You know, they're really good teams. I think we're really underrated on this side of the state.”

The Buffaloes have one regular-season game remaining at Wichita North next Thursday. They are battling for a top-four seed in the West division of the playoffs. 

“Right now is when it matters the most. You could have the greatest season, but you could be out first round,”  Vital said. “I'm always watching those results from all across the state and there's always like three to four upsets. We just have to be hungry to make it to state. 

“The boys soccer team has never made it to the top four. And that's really our goal to make it to the semifinal. But why not win at all? I think we have a team to take it to the championship match. So we need to focus up and just play hard.”