Bulldogs Undefeated after 31-6 Win over St. Pius

Offensive linemen JD Romero (70) and Sawyer Ritter (58) clear the way ahead. Photo: Kale Davis, Backroads Designs.

A three-touchdown fourth quarter by Kearney Bulldog senior quarterback Carter Temple slammed the door on the St. Pius Warriors 31-6 in a highly anticipated matchup between two Missouri powerhouses.

Bulldog senior linebacker and kick returner Kale Tucking ran back the opening kickoff 92 yards for a lead Kearney would never relinquish. A Grant Bogert point after and 33-yard field goal gave Kearney a short-lived 10-0 lead, until St. Pius quarterback Jake Nichols threw a quick pass to his reliable target, Chase Brookings in the endzone for the first and only points the Warriors would score. The second and third quarters remained locked at 10-6.

“That's one of the best teams in the state regardless of class,” said Kearney head coach, Logan Minnick. “So proud of our kids. We told them it was going to be a heavyweight punch –  they were going to land some punches, and we were going to land some punches.”

Both teams had captured early-season wins over class 6 Rockhurst. This matchup was dead-even, and while the rankings coming into the game might have given Kearney a slight edge, the way in which both defenses slugged it out for four quarters left no doubt these were two of the best teams in the state.

A late first half interception in the endzone by Kearney linebacker Luke Tucking halted a lengthy drive and potential score going into halftime by a talented St. Pius offense. Kearney linebacker Jackson Lager made his presence felt in pass coverage with multiple pass breakups, a fumble recovery and a critical fourth quarter redzone interception.

“Proud of the whole overall defensive effort. That team is averaging over 40 points a game. You hold them to the six they scored on their second drive, then nothing from that point on, that's what we do here,” said Minnick.

Kearney Bulldog offense on the move to another score. Photo: Kale Davis, Backroads Designs.

Carter Temple ran through St. Pius linebacker, Thomas Dickerson and flew by two more Warrior defenders to the corner of the endzone on a 31-yard keeper at the top of the fourth quarter. Kearney’s momentum surged as the senior team captain led the Bulldog charge to victory with two final scores, a 27-yard pass to tight end Caleb Stevens, and a goal line carry behind a fired-up Kearney Bulldog offensive line with 1:48 remaining.

The Bulldogs (6-0) remain undefeated and return to conference play at Raytown South (3-3) next Friday, October 9.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis and Kelly Gentry contributed to this story.

Kearney Steamrolls Winnetonka 72-7

The first play from scrimmage revealed a long night ahead for the Winnetonka Griffins. Kearney linebacker, Kale Tucking recovered a Luke Tucking forced fumble by Winnetonka quarterback Khilan Allen.

Kearney’s opening play from offense was a perfectly scripted Carter Temple pitch to Cruise Emmons, a reverse handoff to Luke Denston, and Denston sprinting 32 yards to the endzone. The Grant Bogert point after kick was good.

Carter Temple (15) takes a snap from the shotgun. Photo: Kale Davis, Backroads Designs.

Only 18 seconds had ticked off the game clock. From the opening kickoff, Kearney had forced and recovered a fumble, perfectly executed a halfback reverse for a touchdown, split the uprights on a Grant Bogert point after kick, and taken a 7-0 lead – the first of five Kearney Bulldog touchdowns in the first quarter.

Moments later, Bogert recovered his own onside kick at the Winnetonka 49-yard line where Bulldog running back Matthew Lindsey would arch a deep spiral to a wide-open Caleb Stevens for a catch and run to the endzone.

Kearney’s 14-0 lead following the point after kick was about to boil over and spill on the Winnetonka Griffins. The Kearney defense had Winnetonka pinned deep in their own territory when a high snap from center sailed through the endzone. In slightly over three minutes, the Kearney Bulldogs recorded a safety, secured a 16-0 lead, and maintained possession of the football. It almost felt unfair to the hapless Griffins. Eventually, it would get worse for Winnetonka.

Matthew Lindsey carried the ball 36 yards, slicing arcs through the Griffin defense for Kearney’s third touchdown at the 8:53 mark. Bulldog quarterback Carter Temple helped himself to the endzone with a 9-yard carry and Ian Sheller punched in a one-yard touchdown with 2:51 to go in the first quarter. It was 37-to-nothing and it was all Bulldogs.

By halftime, the Griffins were assured this game had fallen desperately out of hand. On this crisp, glittering homecoming evening, the Kearney Bulldogs cruised close to effortlessly on their own home turf with fresh memories of a hard-fought 22-13 win at class 6, Rockhurst one week prior.

Early in the second quarter, Kearney linebacker Kale Tucking returned a Winnetonka punt 69 yards for a touchdown. Matthew Lindsey added his second touchdown on an 11-yard scramble and the scoreboard points on the home side rolled like a slot machine.

Kearney wasn’t finished. For the Winnetonka Griffins – at every level, from every position – Kearney’s absolute and utter dominance was unstoppable.

With a 51-0 lead, Kearney defensive back Braylon Burnside picked off a Khilan Allen pass and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown.

Just over two minutes remained in the first half as Kearney running back Cruise Emmons tucked the football and raced down the sideline cutting, spinning and slipping tackles. Collared by a defender and breaking what looked to be a sure tackle, Emmons ran free and tight-roped the sideline with skilled footwork and crossed the goal line on a magnificent 20-yard touchdown run.

The Bulldogs rumbled into the locker room with an astonishing 65-0 halftime lead.

“That's the most points I've ever scored in a game as a head coach,” said Kearney head coach Logan Minnick. “You try at times not to let it get that lopsided, but at the same time, you know when you score 65 in the first half, you know what it is. And when you score on special teams, you score on defense, you score on offense – and I think we had three offensive drives that were one play – the score can get a little more out of hand.”

Kearney Running back Braiden Feurer carried a Caden Webster handoff three yards for a touchdown on a nice drive by the second unit offense at 5:34 in the third quarter.

Griffin quarterback Khilan Allen saved himself and his Winnetonka teammates from a 72-0 shutout on a 3-yard keeper to the endzone in the fourth quarter.

The final 72-7 score is reflective of two teams going in completely different directions. Even as conference opponents, the Bulldogs (5-0) and the Griffins (1-4) can’t reasonably be categorized as rivals. Kearney leads the matchup historically 18-2 going back to August of 2010. Rivalries aren’t built on one team completely dominating the other. Ideally, every game would be a nail-biter to the finish, and each team would accept the outcome and shake hands after. Reality is that high school football sometimes teaches hard lessons.

The 5-0 Kearney Bulldogs face the 5-0 St. Pius Warriors next Friday, October 2, at St. Pius X High School.  

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Kearney Played Up and Won Out – Takes Down Rockhurst 22-13

A vicious Bulldog defense held the Hawklets to 13 points in a highly anticipated class 4 versus class 6 slugfest between two metro heavyweights.

Kearney (4-0) jumped ahead early on a third-and-goal, Carter Temple to Cruise Emmons screen pass, culminating a 7-minute drive on the Bulldogs’ opening possession. Before the end of the first quarter, Temple delivered an arching spiral to a wide-open Matthew Lindsey for a 52-yard touchdown catch and stayed on target passing to Ian Sheller for the two-point conversion putting the Bulldogs up 15-0.

Carter Temple (15) breaks free for a Bulldog touchdown. Photo by Kale Davis, Backroads Designs.

“We just wanted to get some points up on the board early,” said Temple. “We came out strong the first two drives and punched them in the mouth and that set the tone for the entire game.”

Midway through the second quarter, Rockhurst quarterback Garrett Miller fired a 36-yard touchdown pass to Cash Lewandowski, putting Rockhurst on the board 15-7.

Rockhurst (2-2) entered the contest averaging 34 points per game. Kearney’s defensive ends Grant Bogert and Lane Cook pressured and hit Miller all evening – Bogert with six quarterback pressures and one sack and Cook with four quarterback pressures.

Kearney nose tackle Ryker Bruto recovered a fumble, but perhaps more significantly, he clogged up the interior of one of the biggest offensive lines in the state for four quarters, facing the likes of Rockhurst center Jack Sprague.

Kearney senior linebacker Luke Tucking was a wrecking ball in the Rockhurst backfield with seven solo tackles, one tackle for loss, four quarterback pressures, a sack and a forced fumble.

“We knew that running back (Ben Hayes) was good. We set our game plan around stopping the run and keeping their quarterback contained,” Tucking said. “Those guys are definitely the strongest I've ever played and probably the biggest. It was fun playing them.”

Neither team scored in the third quarter. At 11:52 in the fourth, Carter Temple caught the Rockhurst defense on their heels. Temple faked a handoff to Cruise Emmons and darted 39 yards for the touchdown and a 22-7 lead following the Grant Bogert extra point.

“Their (Rockhurst) running linebackers were filling gaps like crazy,” said Bulldog center Karter Pogue. “Our mindset was as soon as you have that double-team clamped, the guard is going to the linebacker, making sure the running backs are getting those (extra) yards, example: Carter Temple scoring that fourth quarter touchdown.”

“I can't give enough props to the offensive line,” Temple said. “They came into this game wanting to work. We literally can't do it without them.”

With 2:12 to play in the game, Kearney leading 22-7, Rockhurst quarterback Garret Miller hit Tristan Johnson on a 10-yard touchdown reception. A missed extra point wasn’t a factor in the final score. Rockhurst successfully recovered an onside kick with 2:09 to play.

With a first down from the Kearney 34-yard line, Rockhurst snapped the ball in what would be their last scoring opportunity. Miller zipped a pass to the endzone that landed in the hands of Bulldog linebacker Kale Tucking who brought the ball out of the endzone, zigzagging to midfield where the Kearney offense would finish the game in their victory formation.

“It's a full team effort,” said Kearney head coach Logan Minnick. “What an unbelievably cool win. I think this is one of the biggest regular season wins we've had since being here. I’m excited for our community. Offseason, everybody wanted to know why we even agreed to play this game. We play for this kind of situation. Now we are battle tested. We may have another game like this down the road, and we've been in this situation.”

Kearney’s offense adapted to whatever the Rockhurst defense gave them, running the ball 41 times for 191 yards averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Carter Temple was 5 of 9 for 103 yards passing and led the Bulldogs in rushing with 111 yards on 18 carries.

“I think that's why we win big games, because we can do both (run and pass) even better this year. Everybody is doing really well. It's super exciting,” Temple said.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Kearney Runs over Belton 42-0

Kearney all-state, senior quarterback, Carter Temple scored on an early first quarter 3-yard burst – his first touchdown of the season, and the first of six Kearney touchdowns in a 42-0 drubbing of the Belton Pirates.

The Missouri Class-4 state champions showcased their senior-laden roster scoring 35 points in the first half. Temple was 11 of 16 for 164 yards passing which included a 14-yard touchdown pass to senior running back Matthew Lindsey. Lindsey rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns.

Matthew Lindsey charges into the endzone for a touchdown. Photo by Ray Weikal.

Temple ran for two more touchdowns in the second quarter helping stack Kearney’s comfortable 35-0 halftime lead. Lindsey scored again on a 13-yard run late in the third quarter giving Kearney a 42-0 lead going into a scoreless fourth quarter.

Junior running back Cruise Emmons added 45 yards on eight carries to the Bulldogs’ 251 total rushing yards.

Grant Bogert was accurate in kicking five point-after attempts. A failed 2-point attempt midway through the second quarter was remedied before halftime with senior Kale Tucking running successfully for the two-point conversion following a Carter Temple touchdown.

“Super proud of our effort,” said Kearney Head Coach Logan Minnick. “You know, this is the way we needed this game to go. Get the nerves out, hit somebody else, and hats off to our JV defense for holding the shutout.”

Kearney’s defense locked down Belton’s prolific rushing attack – which includes senior running backs Aaden Hall, Caleb Campbell, and junior quarterback Robert Rucker – holding Belton to 119 yards total offense. Belton was 0-5 in passing.

“Our linebacking corps is one of the fastest in the state,” said Kearney senior linebacker, Kale Tucking. “We may not be the biggest out there, so we try to use that speed to our advantage using our leverage.”

“Week one is always a battle to see who can adjust the fastest,” said Kearney defensive coordinator Marcus Brinkley. “We knew we were going to get some sets that we weren't prepared for, adjusting the tight end off and doing some things with their wings, knowing at any moment, they can go 80 yards. So, hats off to our kids. They did a phenomenal job adjusting to the flow of the game as it went on.”

Minnick put the win in perspective during his post-game, on-field gathering. “Is that the best game we can play? No. And if you're winning 42-nothing and can play better we're really excited about that,” he told the team. “You know teams get so much better from week one to week two. So, we're really excited – and need to be because you’ve got a really good Grain Valley team coming in here next week.”

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Bulldog Football 2026 Preseason Outlook

Asphalt roads bake under the scorching August heat. Parched landscapes thirst for rain, and the cooling allure of central air conditioning drives us indoors to contemplate a matter of deep, cultural significance – Kearney Bulldog Football is back!

The Bulldogs return with a perfect 14-0 record and forever possession of the state championship trophy – the bounty of a 21-14 victory over runner-up Hannibal. Photo by Ray Weikal, 2025

The Bulldogs return with a perfect 14-0 record and forever possession of the state championship trophy – the bounty of a 21-14 victory over runner-up Hannibal.

Head Coach Logan Minnick and Defensive Coordinator, Marcus Brinkley were named 2025 Missouri Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year.

 “Congrats to Coach Brinkley as Assistant Coach of the Year,” said Minnick. “It's hard to improve on how good the defense has been the last four years. I think overall that we've given up less than 12 points a game.”

The Bulldogs are 49-4 overall under Minnick with three conference championships, three district titles, two state championships, (2023 and 2025) and a state semi-final appearance in a hard-fought loss to Lutheran North in 2024.

Kearney returns 22 seniors this season, led offensively by senior, all-state quarterback Carter Temple.

“There’s an obvious advantage to having a senior heavy team,” says Minnick. “I think if we started a game tomorrow 18 or 19 of the 22 starters would be seniors. It’s a huge advantage when it comes to leadership and experience.”

Temple threw for 1,456 yards and 18 touchdowns, ending the 2025 season with a 135.6 quarterback rating and only two interceptions. His dazzling passing stats are only half the story as Temple led the team in rushing with 1,120 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Carter Temple - Photo by Ray Weikal, 2025

“Carter Temple is a once-in-a-lifetime kid that you get to coach at the quarterback position,” said Minnick. “He was unanimously voted to team captain as a junior, which tells you all you need to know. Just seeing him play, I mean the kid has only lost one game as a starter in his career – when he was a sophomore, playing in six inches of snow.”

Standing 6’3” at 220 pounds, the three-time, state wrestling champion is a beast in the weight room. During the offseason, Temple managed a 325-pound hang clean following a one-hour training run. (There’s video proof on social media and it’s remarkable.) He bench-presses 290 and squats 505 pounds, placing him among the top 15 weightlifters at Kearney High School.

Minnick went on to say, “We've built this offense, this team, around what he does well. I don't think he'll have to carry us, but at the same time, he's a guy that's going to refuse to let us lose. We will be in every single game all year long because Carter Temple is playing quarterback.”

“We are so pumped to get this season going,” said senior quarterback Carter Temple. “Every one of us has the same mindset of going back-to-back. This team has been absolutely grinding. We know we can’t take days off. We know what we have to do to get to the top again.”

Temple has a host of receiving options. Speedy, elusive, sure-handed athletes are available as needed to execute the Logan Minnick playbook.

Caleb Stevens returns as a 6’6” 200-pound senior tight end. An exceptional athlete with all the measurables, Stevens, who showed great promise in 2024, suffered an unfortunate training camp injury which sidelined him the entire 2025 season.

“After missing last season, being healthy and back on the field is something I don’t take for granted,” Stevens said. “I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to help our team compete for another state championship and hopefully go back-to-back.”

A notable training camp performer, Luke Denston, a junior, will step into one of the wide receiver positions as Coach Minnick “expects big things from him this year.”

As effectively as Kearney throws the football, in the minds of some observers, the Bulldogs’ passing attack is sometimes overshadowed by their run-heavy offense. But if you break down the multiple ways in which Kearney powered through 14 straight wins last year, there is a preponderance of evidence that suggests they are a running team with imagination – a team that will hit you hard early by pounding the football, simultaneously scheming creative ways to beat you – on the ground or in the air.

Matt Lindsey - Photo by Ray Weikal, 2025

The Minnick playbook is loaded with opportunities for Kearney’s coveted wealth of running back talent. All-state seniors, Matthew Lindsey, and Kale Tucking are back this season, and both have the ability to run off tackle, straight at you, and fly around the field on misdirection plays, short screens, or lined up as receivers.

Junior running back, Cruise Emmons returns after a strong sophomore season. The third in a family of three historically talented Kearney Bulldog running backs, Emmons is certain to be a factor this year.

“It's time for the third Emmons brother to get some reps. Cruise Emmons will be ready to rock this year and we'll line him up everywhere offensively from receiver to running back,” says Minnick.

Kearney’s offensive line is in good hands behind two returning starters and deep training camp competition to fill the remaining positions.

“We’re excited about the O-line competition,” said Minnick. We’ve got JD Romero and Cohen Dray back. We also have Sawyer Ritter back as a senior who started several games for us last year and we've got a really good battle between juniors Chace Fishback, Karter Pogue, and Brayden Carrell. Those guys are battling it out and we’ve got a little bit of depth there.”

Kale Tucking - Photo by Ray Weikal, 2025

Defensively, the Bulldogs return last year’s linebacking core led by Aidan Arellano and the Tucking twins, Luke and Kale.

Aidan Arellano is an athletic, hard-hitting, three-year starter who brings speed and run-stopping power to the linebacker position as many have seen (or experienced).

“I want to lead by example in everything we do,” said Arellano. “In practice I try to keep the same level of intensity and determination we had in last year’s practices because we know what it took to win last year. It’s gonna take that and much more this year.”

At defensive back, Senior Ashton Bringus, who had a strong showing at the state championship game returns at corner. Braylon Burnside has added muscle and played well at defensive back during training camps.

Minnick mentioned Kyle Pritzel as a player to watch in the Bulldog secondary. “Kyle Pritzel lined up at corner and safety and has really worked his tail off to step into one of those roles,” he said.

On the defensive line, Lane Cook and Grant Bogert, are blue-chip players with high expectations to build on their impressive performances last year.

“Obviously, not having the Beaver brothers will make things look different,” Minnick said. “But at the same time, you've got the Tucking twins back, you've got Aidan Arellano back, you've got a bunch of guys back who have played, so I'm excited to see what Coach Brinkley does with the defense.

“I know you'll see a more exciting brand of defense this year as far as slanting and blitzing and being a little more aggressive than what we've done in the past. So that should be exciting,” Minnick added. “I would definitely say we've put a huge emphasis on turnovers, so hopefully we can get the ball out more this year.”

The status and accolades of a state championship brings with it the proverbial “target-on-your-back”.

The Bulldogs kickoff the season at home against Belton on August 28; at home against Grain Valley, and at Smithville on week three. On week four, for the first time ever, Kearney plays Rockhurst at Rockhurst. Two weeks later, the Bulldogs travel to St. Pius to face another tough opponent. 

“We expect everyone's A-game year in and year out, game in and game out,” said Minnick. “The big thing with this senior class is a bunch of them were sophomores on the 2024 team that came up a game short. They know how that feels. That definitely fueled their whole offseason last year. These seniors want a state championship to call their own.”

“We've got a bunch of really good players back that understand what it takes to win it, and I think you'll see that from their maturity level and their understanding of what it takes to get back to where we want to be,” Minnick added.

“Hopefully we can stay healthy and continue to get better. We've got a heck of a schedule and we're looking forward to it,” said Minnick. “This should be another great season for the bulldogs.”

KPGZ News – Mike Davis, Eric Stevens, and Kelly Gentry contributed to this story.