Minnick Leads Bulldogs to 3 in a Row

The Smithville Warriors became the third team in succession to fall to the Kearney Bulldogs this season. Kearney opened their 2022 football schedule against two, 2021 Missouri class-5 state contenders and the Missouri class-4 state champion and won all three games.

Photo courtesy Ray Weikal of the Kearney School District

“Seeing that schedule and looking at those first three games, obviously we knew we had a chance in all three, but that was just a gauntlet of teams to go through. I definitely feel we are battle tested. We need to get some bruises and other things healed up because Excelsior (Springs) is coming and they’ll be physical also,” said Head Coach Logan Minnick.

Smithville senior quarterback, Andrew Hedgecorth slipped through a sea of Bulldog defenders on a 46-yard quarterback keeper for the first score of the game. Hedgecorth and senior running back Caleb Donnell combined for 260 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns.

Kearney got on the board with 3:27 to go in the second quarter on junior quarterback Casey Rooney’s pass that was tipped by a Smithville defender and grabbed by Kearney senior tight end, Zach Grace for a 49-yard touchdown reception. Grant Jacobsen’s point after kick split the uprights for the 7-7 tie.

Zach Grace bulldozed six yards for a touchdown from Kearney’s power offensive set at the 7:00 mark in the third quarter. Grant Jacobsen’s extra point gave Kearney a 14-7 lead.

On his way to 117 total yards of rushing, Smithville’s Caleb Donnell blasted into the endzone on a 6-yard carry, giving Smithville an opportunity to tie the game at 14-all, pending the extra point. Kearney held the lead as Logan Hennegin missed the extra point attempt.

With 8:15 left in the fourth quarter, Kearney Bulldog junior wideout Manny Linthacum ran 27 yards for a touchdown on a reverse handoff as Smithville’s defense bit on the fake sweep to the opposite side. Kearney’s failed two-point conversion attempt set up Smithville for a possible comeback win as the score stood at 20-13.

A long drive by Smithville’s ball-control offense burned up precious minutes on the game clock as Andrew Hedgecorth ran ten yards for his second touchdown with only 55 seconds left to play, closing the score to 20-19.

On the two-point attempt, Hedgecorth watched his pass sail above the outstretched arms of Caleb Donnell, giving the Kearney Bulldogs a chance to run the clock for the win on the ensuing kickoff.

The Smithville kickoff was a contested onside kick that gave the Warriors another possession and ultimately, a 46-yard field goal attempt that dropped short of the crossbar. With one second left on the clock, Kearney took over possession from their own 1-yard line and a final play as Casey Rooney wisely ran the ball a comfortable distance from the goal line for the kneel down and a 20-19 Kearney Bulldog victory.

“This feels amazing, but we’ve still got a long way to go. We can’t celebrate this too long, we have to think about the next game and just keep doing what we’re doing,” said senior defensive end Kale Conway.

The Bulldogs host Excelsior Springs (1-2) next Friday, September 16 at 7:00pm. 102.7FM will broadcast all the play-by-play action with the pregame beginning at 6:40pm.

KPGZ Sports - Mike Davis contributed to this story