Bulldogs to Face Savannah in District Final

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 still 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 by Edarrius Scruggs who was stopped at the 1-foot line, but still able to extend his arms and the football past the goal line. 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 down and ten, as 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 dominating momentum shift, the Bulldog varsity completed their evening’s 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 that 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 7:00 pm.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

High Tech Equipment Aids Deputies with DWI Arrest

Late Wednesday just after midnight, a dramatic chase unfolded near N.E. Parvin Road and N. Belmont Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, when Clay County Deputies combined teamwork and technology to apprehend a suspected drunk driver.

Deputies then deployed a drone equipped with heat-sensing technology, giving officers a real-time thermal image of the area.

It all began when a Traffic Safety Unit deputy attempted to pull over a vehicle traveling without headlights—a telltale sign of impaired driving. Instead of stopping, the driver sped away, nearly colliding with another car headed northbound. Moments later, the suspect lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the back of a parked semi truck's trailer.

Not content to surrender, the driver abandoned his car and fled on foot into Worlds of Fun. Security staff at Worlds of Fun quickly sprang into action, reviewing surveillance footage to track the suspect’s movements inside the park. Their efforts provided law enforcement with a rough estimate of the suspect's location.

Deputies then deployed a drone equipped with heat-sensing technology, giving officers a real-time thermal image of the area. The drone’s advanced imaging capabilities allowed law enforcement to pinpoint the suspect’s whereabouts within the sprawling grounds of Worlds of Fun. Officers from multiple agencies, including the Claycomo Police Department, Pleasant Valley Missouri Police Department, Gladstone MO Police, and Kansas City Missouri Police Department responded swiftly, coordinating to surround the park and ensure the suspect had nowhere to escape.

After a thorough search, officers apprehended the suspect without further incident. Subsequent testing revealed that the driver’s blood alcohol content was well above the legal limit. Police identified the suspect as Reginald L. Finch, 22, who now faces several charges, including aggravated fleeing a stop, driving while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of an accident.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Overnight lane closures on I-35 near North Kearney

The Missouri Department of Transportation will perform lane closures on southbound Interstate 35 near North Kearney for pavement repair, overnight, form approximately 7:00 PM until 6:00 AM each night, beginning Monday, Nov. 10 until Wednesday, Nov. 12. Motorists may experience 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. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short-term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris form the roadway.

For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, please visit our website at //www.modot.org/kansascity.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Boys Swim & Dive Team Dominates Conference Meet

The Kearney Boys Swim & Dive team ended their regular season in spectacular fashion, transforming the conference meet held from October 30 to November 1 into a demonstration of dominance and depth. The Bulldogs captured 11 out of 12 event titles, set personal records across the roster, and secured the team championship by a remarkable 140-point margin, marking their 11th consecutive conference victory.

The tone was set early, as the 200 Medley Relay squad—Braeden Mallonee, Bennett Freeman, Whitaker Steward, and Milo Sumpter—dropped two seconds off their previous best to claim first place, highlighted by a personal-best split from Bennett. The momentum continued in the 200 Free, where Brayden Peck surged to victory with a 6.5-second personal improvement, followed by Landon Morrill in second and significant time drops from Patrick McNellis and Konnor Spring, who placed sixth and seventh.

Whitaker Steward led the charge in the 200 IM, breaking the Gladstone pool record, and later won the 500 Free with a season-best time, setting another pool record. The Bulldogs’ sprints were just as dynamic, with Milo Sumpter taking second in the 50 Free, Isaac Jensen third, and Isaac Clayton fourth—all posting personal records. Bennett Freeman added a season best for seventh. Isaac Jensen then won the 100 Free, earning a state consideration cut, while Milo and Brayden placed second and fifth.

Kearney’s relay teams were unstoppable. The 200 Free Relay—Clayton, Bennett, Landon, and Jensen—cut four seconds to win, and the 400 Free Relay featuring Steward, Jensen, Sumpter, and Mallonee closed the meet as champions, with Whitaker contributing a personal-best split. In the stroke events, Mallonee won the 100 Back, joined by McNellis and Spring with strong finishes and personal records. Bennett Freeman took the 100 Breast title, with Peter Jensen and Eli both setting six-second personal bests for third and fourth.

On the diving board, Isaac Clayton earned the crown, with Nathan Watson and Eli Clayton rounding out the top five. Mallonee also claimed the 100 Fly, and Landon Morrill placed third with another time drop.

Coaches Trevor Woehrman, Ariel Jones, Ryan Sprugel, and David Robinson praised the team for their preparation and relentless attitude, calling the weekend a showcase of hard-earned breakthroughs. Next, Isaac Clayton will compete at the District Diving meet on November 6, followed by the Class 1 State Championships in St. Louis on November 13–14. This year’s state qualifiers include Whitaker Steward, Isaac Clayton, Braeden Mallonee, Bennett Freeman, Milo Sumpter, Isaac Jensen, with Patrick McNellis and Landon Morrill as alternates. Eleven straight conference championships and the Bulldogs continue their climb.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Scammers Pose as Deputies, Target Residents with Fake Documents

Clay County residents have faced a surge in scam attempts over the past month, as relentless fraudsters impersonating deputies from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office have repeatedly called and texted locals in an effort to extort money. The scammers’ tactics include claiming that residents have missed either jury duty or a court date and warning them of an outstanding warrant for their arrest.

Victims report that the callers insist they remain on the phone, threatening that hanging up would constitute breaking the law. The scammers then offer a way out: payment of a so-called “civil bond.” Residents are directed to transfer money through popular apps or deposit funds at a Bitcoin ATM.

In recent weeks, the Sheriff’s Office has also received a notable increase in complaints about fraudulent documents being sent via text message. These documents, crafted to appear official, use information sourced from the internet about the targeted individuals. Authorities emphasize that these texts do not resemble legitimate paperwork issued by the Clay County Circuit Court.

Adding to the sophistication of the scam, reports have emerged in the past two weeks of the Sheriff’s Office main administrative phone number, 816-407-3750, being spoofed. This tactic is intended to make the scam appear more credible to unsuspecting residents. Law enforcement officials urge anyone who receives a suspicious call to verify its authenticity by contacting the Sheriff’s Office directly at their non-emergency number, 816-407-3700.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that deputies will never call to inform someone of an arrest warrant, nor will they demand payment or insist that a person stay on the line.

In Missouri, missing jury duty is considered an offense punishable by a fine, not arrest, and the courts would issue multiple forms of communication before taking any action. Residents are advised to be vigilant, recognize these red flags, and hang up immediately if contacted by someone making such demands.

Officials continue to investigate these scams and urge the community to remain cautious. Anyone who receives a suspicious call or message should report it to the authorities and refrain from providing personal information or sending money.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.