Turnovers and Penalties Costly in Bulldog Season Opener

Braxton Breedlove kicked a 25-yard field goal with 1:11 to go in the first quarter. That would be the first – and last – Kearney Bulldog score in a disappointing 35-3 loss to the Platte County Pirates.

Platte County’s game-opening drive ended in a missed field goal as the Bulldog defense held the Pirates scoreless in the first quarter. The first of four Kearney turnovers followed at the beginning of the second quarter with Platte County’s Garrett Smith intercepting and returning an Ian Acosta pass 29 yards for a touchdown. Platte County 7, Bulldogs 3.

The Bulldog offense looked to be on the move in their next possession. Quarterback Ian Acosta tossed a nice 32-yard pass to senior wide receiver, Hayden Douglas. The drive sputtered, forcing a well-placed Ian Acosta punt on the Platte County 1-yard line.

Ian Acosta places a deep punt on the Platte County 1-yard line

With the Pirates deep in their own territory, Platte County quarterback Jared Parsons took the first snap of the drive and connected with wideout Cole Rhoden for a 99-yard pass for touchdown.

With 56 seconds remaining in the first half, Platte County running back Ben McDaniel scampered 13-yards for a touchdown, giving the Pirates a 21-3 halftime lead.

Neither team was impressive in a scoreless, ill-tempered, penalty-filled third quarter. Platte County added two final scores in the fourth quarter: A 2-yard Ben McDaniel touchdown run and Pirates linebacker, Blaine Keuhn returning Acosta’s third interception of the evening for a touchdown. Final score: Platte County 35, Kearney Bulldogs 3.

The Bulldogs host the Smithville Warriors next Friday, September 10 at 7:00 p.m. The game will broadcast live on 102.7FM with the pre-game show beginning at 6:40.

For more details on the game, player stats and analysis, be sure to tune in to the Coach Gray Show, Thursdays at noon on 102.7FM and live streamed on the 102.7FM Facebook and YouTube pages.

KPGZ Sports - Mike Davis contributed to this story