Bulldogs to Host Excelsior Springs in District Playoffs

Dust off the cowbells. We have a district playoff game – at home. “We host Excelsior Springs this Friday, October 30,’’ Kearney Head Football Coach, Josh Gray announced this morning.  

After two disappointing weeks without Friday night football, the Missouri Class 4, District 8 playoffs begin with your 3-4 Kearney Bulldogs facing the 3-4 Excelsior Springs Tigers on our own turf.

The Bulldogs missed a home game against Grandview on October 16, and an away game scheduled at De Soto (Kansas) last night, October 23, due to a COVID-19 contact.

DISTRICT PLAYOFFS BEGIN AT HOME AS THE BULLDOGS HOST 3-4 EXCELSIOR SPRINGS TIGERS.

Despite missing 2 consecutive weeks of game-night competition, full practices continued in earnest as district playoffs remained on the schedule. “This past week we have been able to go back and clean up some technique aspects and focus on drills,” said Coach Gray. “We worked with the guys who were able to practice.”

Game-day speed is hard to simulate at any level of football. Coach Gray explains, “We made the best out of the circumstances we were in. We competed against each other in high-energy, low-impact competitions. The kids had a good week of practice and we are all excited about starting up district playoffs.”

Class 4, District 8 tournament seeding is set in this order:  Smithville 7-2, Winnetonka 6-3, Kearney 3-4, Savannah 4-3, Lafayette (St. Joseph) 3-5, and Excelsior Springs 3-4. District seeding is established by a point ranking system based largely on won-lost records, number of games played, and strength of schedule. For more information, visit mshaa.org.

The 102.7FM pre-game broadcast begins at 6:40 PM this Friday, October 30. Listen to complete play-by-play action at 7:00 PM on 102.7FM, online at 1027KearneyMO.com or on the MyTuner radio app.

KPGZ Sports – Mike Davis contributed to this story