The Kearney Bulldogs extended their post season playoff journey with a 67-20 drubbing of the Van Horn Falcons in the Missouri Class 4, District 8 semi-final round.

Kearney’s junior running back, Matthew Lindsey glided to the endzone on a 5-yard touchdown run for the opening score – his first in a prolific, breakout game consisting of four rushing touchdowns and a 2-point conversion reception from Brad Doll.

*Matthew Lindsey glided to the endzone on a 5-yard touchdown run for the opening score – his first in a prolific, breakout game consisting of four rushing touchdowns. Photo by Eric Stevens.*

As a first-season transfer player, Lindsey has been building confidence with his Kearney teammates and quickly learning Head Coach Logan Minnick’s playbook.

“The first couple of games, I was nervous and didn't know the playbook as much as I do now,” said Lindsey. “I’m feeling more and more comfortable and running behind my pads now and couldn’t be more proud of the offensive line. They did a super job tonight.”

The Bulldogs racked up 290 rushing yards on 35 carries spread liberally among a stockpile of talent in the Kearney backfield: Corbin Emmons, Dryden Hendrix, Matthew Lindsey, Cruise Emmons, Hudson Best, and Kendahl Davis.

Quarterback Carter Temple was 3 of 5 passing for 53 yards and a touchdown. With Kearney’s 340 yards of total offense, this game was never close.

For five minutes in the second quarter, Van Horn controlled the clock on a sustained drive that culminated in a 1-yard score as Edarrius Scruggs stood inside the 1-foot line extending his arms and the football into endzone. Kearney was unable to score on their ensuing possession.

“We had a little adversity there, we've got to clean up some penalties, you know, especially the unsportsmanlike penalties,” said Head Coach Logan Minnick. “That's not Kearney football and that's something we will get corrected.”

With Kearney leading 14-7, the Van Horn offense was at midfield, second and ten, when quarterback Bordy Gray’s pass attempt was picked off by Bulldog linebacker Luke Tucking and returned to the Van Horn 30-yard line.

In a dominate shift of momentum, the Bulldog varsity completed their work at halftime with a 51-7 lead. The second and third units finished the second half with two Cruise Emmons touchdown runs. Van Horn’s varsity stayed on the field, scoring twice in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

“I thought last year in this game we came out a little bit flat, so that was something we preached all week: coming out strong,” said Minnick. “Anytime you put 50 points up in a half, you know you’re doing things pretty well. I’m proud of the way, once we imposed our will, that it was kind of the end of this game.”

The 10-0 Bulldogs host the 10-1 Savannah Savages for the district championship game Friday, November 14, at 7 pm.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.