Bulldogs Dominant in 38-14 Win over Smithville

Two Missouri Class 4 rivals fought it out in a game that had multiple late-season implications. Second-ranked Kearney’s victory over third-ranked Smithville gives the Bulldogs a head-to-head advantage in both the Suburban Blue Conference and the Missouri Class 4, District 8 standings.

Kearney sophomore quarterback Carter Temple was 8 of 14 for 98 yards passing. Temple showcased his running ability with 4 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown.

“I couldn’t do it without my guys upfront who block for me,” said Temple. “I'm so thankful for everybody up there. I mean, they gave me so much time and you know my wide receivers, those fast guys, they go up there and get it. I trust them and I know they can get open.”

Kearney sophomore defensive back, Aidan Arellano picked off a pass from Smithville quarterback Peyton Steffen and ran it back for a touchdown midway through the first quarter.

“I was doing my drop back and I see the ball coming,” said Arellano. “Once I had it in my hands, I knew it was (going to) the end zone.” It was Arellano’s second pick-6 and Kearney’s third defensive score this season.

Grant Noland takes the snap for the bulldogs - Photo by Eric Stevens

Senior running back Grant Noland ran two yards for the Bulldogs’ second, first quarter touchdown. Kicker Jacob Dillon added the respective point-after kicks giving Kearney an early two-touchdown lead. Dillon would manufacture an impressive score of his own early in the second quarter. After an earlier missed field goal attempt, Dillon punched a 45-yard field goal between the uprights, giving Kearney a 17-0 lead.

Kearney special teams continue to dazzle as senior wide receiver Tre Smith returned 2 punts averaging 42 yards and two kickoff returns for a 33-yard average.

Smithville scored once in the second quarter on a 5-yard run. Carter Temple responded with a 44-yard touchdown run on a fake handoff to Tristan Williams that fooled everyone in the stadium, giving the Bulldogs a 24-7 halftime lead.

Grant Noland scored his second and third touchdowns of the evening on 1- and 5-yard blasts from the heavy formation in the second half, giving Kearney a 38-7 lead. Smithville scored a late touchdown against the Kearney second-unit defense for the final 38-14 Bulldog win.

“That’s a great program over here,” said Bulldog head coach, Logan Minnick. “It’s been a long, long time since Kearney’s come over here and put a complete game together like that against these guys.”

“I’m fired up. Anytime you can come over here and get a win, like I said, it’s a statement win for our program tonight,” Minnick added.

The Kearney Bulldogs are 3-0 on the season and their schedule doesn’t get any easier over the next 3 weeks. Kearney hosts Class 6, Park Hill on Friday, September 20. KPGZ 102.7FM will broadcast the game. The pregame show begins at 6:40 PM. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM.

Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Kearney Schools Receive Unfounded Threats

The Kearney School District was among many in the metro area that received threats or anonymous tips of threats this week. An investigation by Kearney Police and school officials determined any threat made to schools this week to be unfounded.

The Kearney School District received an anonymous tip on Wednesday, September 11, through the state’s Courage2Report system. The threat concerned a possible threat involving one of the schools.

School Resource Officer Adam Kirkland, law enforcement and administrators conducted a thorough investigation after the tip was reported. They determined the threat to be unfounded. Classes at Kearney schools were held as usual, but with a heightened police presence.

In an unrelated incident, a man who had multiple warrants was stopped and arrested by the Clay County Sheriff's Office at Dogwood Elementary School on Thursday, September 12.

A deputy ran the man's plates and was alerted he had outstanding warrants. The deputy stopped the man, and he pulled into the parking lot of Dogwood Elementary. The man said he had a student at the school but quickly admitted he lied.

The man had warrants for non-violent offenses.

The Kearney School District encourages parents and guardians to speak with their students about the seriousness of school safety. If parents or students become aware of information about a concern or threat, the best course of action is to report that directly to the school or the district. Anonymous tips can be shared using the Scholastic Crime Stoppers program by calling (816) 474-TIPS or visiting KCCrimeStoppers.com.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Softball Smashes Home Opener Over Staley

Once again Kearney Varsity Softball bats were on fire on Tuesday, September 10, when the Bulldogs hosted the Staley Falcons. The first home game of the season saw fireworks with an impressive display of hitting and pitching as Kearney took the win 10-1.

Kate Landewee closed out the game and pitched 4 and two-thirds innings and had six strikeouts.

The Bulldogs followed one of Coach Birchfield’s keys to the game: score early and often. In the first inning, Brooke Paalhar singled and scored one run. In the bottom of the second inning Alyssa Quick homered to center field, and Macy Morrow doubled, each scoring one run to add to the Bulldog lead.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning, Kate Landewee hit a grand slam to left field, driving in four more runs.

Alyssa Quick pitched two and one-third innings. She gave up two hits and zero runs, struck out four and walked one. Kate Landewee closed out the game and pitched 4 and two-thirds innings and had six strikeouts.

Here are more highlights from the game:

- Macy Morrow went 2-4 with 1 RBI.

- Kennedi Casey went 1-3.

- Brooke Paalhar went 3-4 with 1 RBI.

- Jocelyn Lincoln went 1-4 with 1 RBI.

- Morgan Pennington went 1-3 1 RBI.

- Alyssa Quick went 1-1 with her first home run of the season. She had 1 RBI.

- Kate Landewee went 2-3 with her first home run of the season. It was a grand slam. She had 4 RBIs.

- Caroline Jury went 1-2.

The Varsity's record is now 6-2. Next game is Thursday at Park Hill South at 4:00pm.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Clay County Public Health Family Fun Day

The Clay County Public Health Center will host its 8th annual Family Fun Day event on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 10 am to 2 pm. This event is free and open to everyone in the community but will be especially fun for families with children. Previous events have had over 300 participants, but this year is set to be their biggest and best event yet.

Here is a sampling of what will be at Family Fun Day:

- Over 45 local organizations hosting fun activities, sharing helpful information and resources

- A variety of performances on the pavilion stage, from music to feats of strength

- Amazing raffle prizes to help families live healthier – sports equipment, cooking tools/appliances/sets

- Balloon and glitter tattoo artists from SA Entertainment

- Three food trucks

Family Fun Day is a free festival in North Kansas City’s Macken Park, 1002 Clark Ferguson Dr, North Kansas City, MO.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Permit Work Requires I-35 Lane Closures

Permit work requires MoDOT to temporarily close some interstate lanes this week. Traffic may be impacted by these closures.

Permit work requires temporary lane closures on northbound and southbound I-35. The work will take place just north of the MO Route 291 Interchange or near Mile Marker 18.4 in Liberty on Tuesday, Sept. 10 until Friday, Sept. 13.

Work will be in progress between the hours of 9:00 am – 3:00 pm daily for a fiber optic project. This is not a complete closure, but motorists should expect delays. All work is weather permitting.

Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention while driving in work zones. Not all work zones look alike. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.