Bulldogs Struggle Early in Gritty 33-21 Win

Kearney entered Friday night’s game with an 8-0 record and seeking the school’s first undefeated regular season since 2010.  It proved to be a difficult task versus an improving Belton team which was the fifth Class 5 school the Bulldogs played this season.  In addition, Belton’s starting quarterback Gio Mack, who had missed the entire season due to injury, made his season debut on Belton’s senior night. This game definitely lived up to the billing as the KMBC Channel 9 Metro Game of the Week.

Cameron Emmons had 15 carries for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns

Kearney made some uncharacteristic miscues that led to 21 Belton points, including a fumble, a failed onside kick and a snap over the punters head.  Despite these miscues, Kearney imposed their will in a 19-point fourth quarter to win 33-21 and conclude the regular season undefeated. 

The first score of the contest occurred on the last play of the first quarter.  Belton connected on a 48 yard touchdown pass on 3rd and 15 to take the 7-0 lead after a successful point after kick.

Kearney would answer with a Cameron Emmons 9-yard rushing touchdown and Grant Jacobsen extra point to tie the game with 7 minutes go in the 2nd quarter.  On the ensuing kickoff, Kearney attempted an onside kick that had worked to perfection earlier in the season.  Unfortunately, the ball did not travel 10 yards and Kearney did not down the ball.  This allowed the Belton front line player, Mateo Ramirez, to swoop up the ball and return the kick for a 49-yard touchdown.  The Belton point after would end the first half scoring at 7-14 as the teams when to halftime. 

Early in the third quarter, Kearney elected to punt on 4th down after a 3 and out possession.  Unfortunately, the ball was snapped over the punters head and set up the Belton offense on the Kearney 10 yard line.   Belton scored a few plays later on a 2-yard dive play to push their lead to 7-21.

On the ensuing Belton kickoff, the Kearney return team made a momentum changing play.  Kearney’s speedy returner, Joe Marshall, returned the ball 70 yards to the Belton 10-yard line and the Bulldogs were in business.  Kearney capped the short field drive with a Casey Rooney to Manny Linthacum 25-yard TD connection on 3rd down and long.  This play cut the Belton lead to 21-14 with 6:28 remaining in the third quarter.  It would be all Kearney from that point forward. 

Kearney used a powerful running game and physical defense in the fourth quarter to rattle off 19 unanswered points.  Zach Grace started the quarter scoring on a 4-yard run to cut the lead to 20-21 after a failed Kearney 2 point conversion with 11:46 to go in the contest.

With momentum on their side, the Kearney defensive unit brought the intensity and with several devastating hits stopped any threat that Belton tried to muster.

With 8:50 remaining, Cameron Emmons ran for a 50-yard touchdown run behind dominating blocking to take the first Kearney lead of the game with 8:50 to go.  The 2 point conversion attempt failed leaving the game at one possession, 26-21. 

Zach Grace added the final TD with a 2-yard rushing touchdown out of the Ham formation.  The point after was good by Grant Jacobsen making it a 33-21 final score with 3 minutes remaining. 

Kearney led in every offensive category including total yards with 366 compared to the Pirate’s 177 they amassed 235 rushing yards compared to Belton’s 78 yard total. 

Kearney secured the #1 seed in Class 4 District 8 which includes a first round bye and home field advantage throughout district play.  They will play the winner of Excelsior Springs/Marshall game at Kearney High School on Friday, November 4 at 7 pm. KPGZ 102.7FM will broadcast the game with pre-game starting at 6:40.

KPGZ Sports - Kelly Gentry contributed to this story