Bulldogs Roll Grandview 45-8

Kearney Bulldog senior running back Tristan Williams ran for 88 yards and 4 touchdowns as the defense held Grandview scoreless 45-0 by halftime. In stark contrast to last week’s defensive battle with Ft. Osage, the outcome of this game was never in doubt.

“I thought our kids did a great job of leveraging Grandview’s speed and kept it contained,” said Head Coach Logan Minnick. “They executed the game plan almost to perfection. We got some turnovers, special teams played well, and the offense was clicking.”

After the successful hook and ladder from Doll to Dostal to Williams! Tristan scores the rushing TD behind tremendous blocking by the O-Line. Photo by Kelly Gentry.

Junior Quarterback Brad Doll connected with Corbin Emmons on a 50-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter. Williams quickly added two rushing scores, and it was 22-0 before the start of the second quarter. Kicker Jacob Dillon added his dependable point after kicks on the first and third touchdowns, and a Brad Doll to Theo Grace pass completed the 2-point conversion on the second score.

Early in the second quarter, Doll ran 20 yards on a quarterback keeper for a touchdown. Jacob Dillon’s point after kick gave Kearney a 29-0 lead.

Grandview – pinned deep against their own goal line – gave up a safety under heavy pressure from the Kearney defense adding another two points.

Before halftime, Tristan Williams would score on two 4-yard touchdowns followed by Jacob Dillon’s point after kicks. With a 45-0 lead, Kearney’s first-team offense and defense were finished for the night.

“I think that Grandview team is a little better than what the score indicated,” said Minnick. “You know when games get to that kind of situation, I thought our kids handled it really well. Get in, get that running clock going, get the young kids in and get ready for week three.”

Kearney’s second unit offense took over at the start of the third quarter. The second- and third-unit defense would give up the only Grandview score on a fourth quarter touchdown pass from Grandview quarterback Mehkl Fields to wide receiver Mikelis Johnson followed by a two-point conversion.

“You know when we talked during the off-season, I told you, we would build this team around our defense,” Minnick added. “We take so much pride in the weight room and the things we do here we think we can always play well (on defense) regardless of what the offense is doing. It was just a good overall team win, the kind of win we needed to have today.”

The Bulldogs play on the road against conference rival Smithville Friday, September 13. KPGZ 102.7 will broadcast the game beginning with the pregame show at 6:40. Kickoff is at 7:00.

Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Chiropractor Celebrates Military, First Responders

The Kearney Family Chiropractic Center is hosting its 9th Annual 9/11 Memorial lunch to recognize and thank military personnel and first responders for their public service.

“Let us honor you for your tremendous effort in keeping our community safe,” said Chiropractic Center owner Dr. Mark Strathman.

Mike Davis Talks with Dr. Mark Strathman at his 911 Celebration

This free celebration lunch will take place on Wednesday, September 11, from 11 am to 1:30 pm at the Kearney Family Chiropractic Center parking lot. All active military personnel and veterans, as well as first responders including police officers, firefighters, and EMS staff, are invited to attend.

The event is sponsored by Kearney Family Chiropractic Center, Tracy Tucker State Farm, Stella Spiking State Farm, 102.7FM KPGZ, Hometown Pediatric Dentistry, Bennett Eyecare, Summit Media Solutions, Amy’s Healing Hands, and Updike BBQ. Lyle Updike will be preparing the food for the event.

Kearney Family Chiropractic Center is located at 301 South Platte Clay Way, Suite B in Kearney. For more information you can call the Chiropractic Center at 816-628-6738.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

MSHP Releases Labor Day Holiday Statistics

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that seven people died in traffic crashes, two people died in a boating crash, and one person drowned during the 2024 Labor Day holiday weekend.

The Highway Patrol also reports there were 233 traffic crashes with 115 injuries over the holiday weekend. Troopers also made 108 DWI arrests and five drug arrests.

On Missouri waterways troopers also worked three boating crashes with eight injuries and two fatalities. Troopers also worked eight BWI arrests and one drowning.

The 2024 counting period for the Labor Day holiday was from 6 p.m., Friday, August 30, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 2.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Teen Charged After Shooting into Homes

18-year-old Connor Landie of Riverside is in the Clay County Detention Center after allegedly shooting into two Kearney homes on Monday.

Kearney police officers arrested after Landie became a person of interest in the investigation of shots fired in the 1200 block of Geneva Circle.

Officers were initially called to the homes just after 9 am on Monday, September 2 on a report of property damage. Police discovered the homes had been hit multiple times.

Police reports were submitted to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office and Landie was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by firing into an occupied dwelling, a Class B felony.

Landie was taken into custody without incident on Tuesday, September 3, and is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Jesse James Festival Returns for 53rd Year

Next week, the annual Jesse James Festival returns to Kearney with new events and familiar favorites. This is the 53rd year for Kearney’s biggest event.

The two-weekend festival has several events and activities that every family member will enjoy. The festival begins Friday evening, September 13, when the carnival opens at Jesse James Park in Kearney.

On Saturday, September 14, activities include the Bill James 5k/10k Classic Run at 8 am and the Demolition Derby & Power Wheels event beginning at 7 pm.

On Thursday, September 20, the carnival opens again at the park. Carnival hours are 6 – 10 pm and entrance armbands are $25.

Friday brings in the main festival and has biggest events and activities including the thirty-sixth annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook-Out, free festival dance, and catfish tournament.

On Saturday, the annual Jesse James Festival Parade is the big event of the day. The parade begins at 10 am in downtown Kearney. Other events of the day include the carnival, rodeo, vendors, disc golf, axe throwing, petting zoo, large kite show, and more at Jesse James Park.

On Sunday the festival is open all day with the carnival, vendors, car and motorcycle shows, and more. For more information about the Jesse James Festival and a schedule of events go to jessejamesfestival.com.

Kearney is the birthplace and boyhood home of Jesse James, as well as his final resting place. The city hosts this festival that brings a large collection of people from all walks of life together. Each year, during the 3rd weekend of September, the festival is in full swing at the Jesse James Park, just north of Kearney on Highway 33.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.