Kearney Bulldogs are State Champions

The emotions of football are not so much a spectrum as they are a contrast. Winning is the highest of highs. Losing is agony.

Senior Defensive Back Brad Doll Holds the State Champion trophy high after Kearney’s 21-14 win over Hannibal in the state final – Photo by Chrystan Ferrell

The Kearney Bulldogs won their sixth, class-4, Missouri state title Saturday afternoon at Spratt Memorial Stadium on the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The Hannibal Pirates didn’t make the long bus trip across northern Missouri to lose 21-14 to the Kearney Bulldogs. With Saturday’s loss, the Pirates are 0-3 in state championship games. The ride home from St. Joseph back to Hannibal was surely agonizing.

In the week leading up to the Show Me Bowl, Kearney head coach Logan Minnick said, “You’ve got the two best teams in class-4 going at it for the whole thing. Their run/option quarterback (Wyeth Dorsey) is probably the most elusive quarterback we've played. He keeps you honest because he can pull that football at any time and go the distance.”

The Bulldogs scored in the first quarter on quarterback Carter Temple’s 57-yard run. Matthew Lindsey carried 17 yards to the endzone in the second quarter. Drew Nelson was perfect on extra-point kicks, giving Kearney a 14-0 advantage.

Hannibal got right back in the game on the ensuing kickoff with an 85-yard return for touchdown by Darrion Washington. A blocked extra point by Kearney linebacker Aidan Arellano held the score to 14-6 into halftime.

In the third quarter, Hannibal sustained a long drive, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Tre Hoskins, who carried his own 2-point conversion to even the score 14-14.

Kearney battled back on offense with a 13-play, 65-yard drive capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by Dryden Hendrix giving the Bulldogs a 21-14 advantage with 6:24 remaining in the fourth quarter.

With 4:45 to go in the game and Hannibal down 21-14, the Pirates had possession and a chance to at least tie the game. Quarterback Wyeth Dorsey fired a perfect pass toward his wide-open receiver, Reid Holliday.

Kearney Bulldog senior cornerback Brad Doll, in perhaps the most gloriously athletic move of his life, superman-leaped skyward and stole Dorsey’s pass. Doll’s interception assured the Bulldogs a late possession and an opportunity to put the game away.

“I know they've been running comeback routes all year and they scored on a comeback last week against Saint Mary’s South Side, so I knew he was going to break down,” said Doll. “I just had to make a play for my team.”

“Our kids are resilient,” said Kearney defensive coordinator Marcus Brinkley. “There’s no moment that’s too big, no light that’s too bright. Our kids executed when it came down to that situation, knowing it was going to be on our shoulders to put the game away for good.”

The Bulldog offense drove inside the 10-yard line only to fumble on a running play near the endzone where Hannibal would take over possession.

The Bulldog defense shut down Hannibal’s comeback attempt, forcing the Pirates into turning the ball over on downs.

2025 Kearney Bulldog Class 4 State Champions – Photo by Ray Weikal

The Kearney Bulldogs finished the season with a perfect 14-0 record and a state championship. Coach Minnick said it all begins with attitude. 

“Attitude and effort. Those are the two pillars of our program. As coaches, we're going to build this program around those two things,” said Minnick.

“For a lot of these kids, this was their last time ever playing football, and we hope we've instilled those things to turn them into great young men wherever they go.”

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Three Fatalities Reported on Missouri Roads During Thanksgiving Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced that three people lost their lives in traffic crashes during the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, which spanned from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 30. Officials reported no boating crashes or drownings occurred over the holiday.

According to preliminary data released by the Patrol, troopers responded to a total of 304 crashes, resulting in 82 injuries and 3 fatalities. There were also 87 arrests for driving while intoxicated made during the holiday period.

In comparison, during the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers investigated 462 traffic crashes, with six fatalities and 158 injuries. Statewide last year, 11 people died and 571 were injured in 1,664 reported traffic crashes. Troopers made 106 arrests for driving while intoxicated in 2024.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Fulfillment House Announces Major Expansion Campaign

Fulfillment House, an organization dedicated to supporting adults with developmental disabilities, has announced the launch of a significant expansion campaign titled "A Place to Belong." The announcement comes on Giving Tuesday, marking an important step forward in the organization's mission to provide opportunities for work, learning, and community engagement.

The expansion has been made possible thanks to a land donation and a secured loan in Kearney. Fulfillment House is now poised to begin construction on a new, purpose-built facility designed to dramatically increase its capacity. Currently serving dozens of adults, the new building will allow the organization to support more than 100 individuals—nearly triple its present outreach.

“With $270,000 of land already donated, every campaign dollar goes directly toward construction IN KEARNEY, adaptive equipment, and building out a larger fulfillment production floor a model that gives adults with disabilities real wages, real skills, and real purpose,” said Kurt Hamilton, executive director.

The planned facility will feature expanded work areas and specialized training classrooms, providing participants with enhanced learning and employment opportunities. In addition, the new space will include areas dedicated to life skills and social development, aiming to foster greater independence and confidence among participants. Fulfillment House will also introduce an Adult Day Habilitation Program to meet the growing needs of local families. The expansion will offer additional room for the organization’s printing services, supporting both vocational training and business operations.

According to Fulfillment House, the urgency for expansion is underscored by the current demand for services in Clay County and the Northland. The existing facility has reached its maximum capacity, and the waitlist continues to grow as families seek stable employment, skill-building, and weekly support for their loved ones. The organization emphasizes that the new campaign is essential for meeting this rising need and ensuring the continuity of its programs.

On Giving Tuesday, Fulfillment House is inviting the community to participate in this effort by making donations. Every contribution will help bring the new facility closer to reality, creating a space where adults with developmental disabilities can work, learn, and find a sense of belonging. Supporters are encouraged to donate and help build a future filled with opportunity and inclusion.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

It’s Kearney vs. Hannibal for State Title

Years from now, Bulldog fans will tell the story of a blustery-cold, 5-hour journey across the entire state; destination – Festus, Missouri, to sit on icy-wet bleachers in a freezing, wintery mix of rain and snow to watch their Kearney Bulldogs beat the daylights out of the Festus Tigers 52-24 in the state semifinal game.

Junior quarterback and team captain, Carter Temple led the charge with 314 combined offensive yards – 16 carries for 237 rushing yards (14.8 yards per attempt) and three touchdowns, and 8 of 10 completions for 77 passing yards.

Corbin Emmons ran for 147 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns. Photo by Eric Stevens.

“Carter Temple is one of the best football players in the entire state of Missouri regardless of what position he plays,” said head coach Logan Minnick. “It doesn't matter. That kid is a winner, he's a gamer, he's super competitive. An absolute leader of our team, there's a reason as a junior he got more votes than anybody for captain.”

Temple’s 14.8 yards per rushing attempt against Festus earned him a place in the Kearney High School record books, breaking the Cameron Emmons record set in 2023.  

“Last year we lost in the semis, and I think about it absolutely every single day,” said Temple. “I think the entire team did. We wanted to win this one.”

The sting of last year’s semifinal loss lingered with the 13-0 Bulldogs throughout their state championship playoff run, and a reckoning was about to be hammered out on the Festus Tigers. Senior running back, Corbin Emmons ran for 147 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns. Dryden Hendrix had 70 yards on 8 carries with two touchdowns, while Matthew Lindsey added to the carnage with five carries for 30 yards.

The Tigers struck early as junior quarterback Parker Perry hit a wide-open Jackson Frank for a 79-yard touchdown blast in the first quarter. Luke Wacker was accurate on the point after, giving Festus an early 7-0 lead.

Bulldog junior running back Dryden Hendrix and the offensive line in front of him wasted little time responding with a 5-yard touchdown run. Kearney senior Brad Doll skipped his placeholder duties by running the ball across the goal line for the 2-point conversion giving Kearney an 8-7 lead.

Kearney Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator Steve Backes said, “The Bulldog offense refused to let the Tigers pull away and answered with touchdowns of their own after every score.”

The Bulldogs’ ground effort rolled over Festus, eclipsing a 25-year, single-game rushing record with 472 total yards. “Such domination does not happen without a great team effort, starting up front with the offensive line of Nyk Belabre, JD Romero, Travis Jarrett, Cohen Dray and Kalan Bomar,” said Backes.

Festus scored again on a 60-yard Perry to Braydon Wilkes pass and a Luke Wacker PAT giving the Tigers a 14-8 lead at 3:38 in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs took a 15-14 lead following a Carter Temple 22-yard score and a Drew Nelson PAT, with two minutes to go in the first quarter.

Luke Wacker was accurate on a 22-yard Tiger field goal giving Festus a 17-15 advantage over the Bulldogs midway through the second quarter.

Kearney answered with a Dryden Hendrix 6-yard touchdown run and Temple threw a perfect 3-yard pass to Matthew Lindsey in the endzone for the 2-point conversion, giving the Bulldogs a 23-17 halftime lead.

The second half was all Kearney. “We ran our bread and butter play and they really couldn't stop it in the first half,” said Temple. “We kept on running until they stopped it and they couldn't stop it.”

At 8:46 in the third quarter, Temple spun and twisted 25 yards through Festus defenders for the touchdown and the Bulldog special teams added another 2-point conversion on a Matthew Lindsey carry, pushing the Kearney lead to 31-17.

Two minutes later, Temple ran for a 23-yard score. Corbin Emmons scored from 10 yards out near the end of the third quarter and would score again in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard dash to the end zone.

The Bulldog defense adjusted and locked down the explosive Festus offense for the entire second half. The Tigers scored late in the game on a Kamden Yates 1-yard run which was their only score since midway through the second quarter. Final score: Bulldogs 52, Tigers 24.

“Hats off to Coach Brinkley and the defensive staff of getting those couple of little things corrected and then going to work,” said Coach Minnick.

“You know, offensively I don't think we punted all night, we wanted to be super physical,” said Minnick. “I think we established the line of scrimmage, we had a few new wrinkles in there that were big for us tonight so, hats off to Coach Backes and our coaching staff of putting that plan together.”

The Kearney Bulldogs play for the Missouri class-4 state championship this Saturday, December 6th at Spratt Stadium on the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph to face the Hannibal Pirates. Kickoff at 11:00 a.m. CST.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Candidate Filing Opens for Kearney City Election

Filing for candidacy in Kearney’s annual City election will open on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 8 am. and close on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 5 pm, following Missouri law 115.127.5 RSMo. The election will take place on April 8, 2025.

This year’s ballot will determine representatives for the Kearney Board of Aldermen, with one member to be elected from Ward 1 and one from Ward 2, each for a two-year term. Residents interested in running for these positions can file their candidacy with the City Clerk at Kearney City Hall, 100 E. Washington Street, during standard business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. City offices will be closed on December 24 and December 25 in observance of the holidays.

To qualify as a candidate for Alderman, individuals must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States, and have lived in Kearney for at least one year prior to the election. Candidates must also reside in the ward they seek to represent both at the time of filing and during their term if elected. In addition, all candidates for municipal office must be registered voters according to Missouri state law and Kearney’s City Code. Anyone delinquent in paying state income, personal property, municipal, or real property taxes on their declared residence is ineligible to run. Those who are or were corporate officers of any fee office owing taxes to the state are also ineligible.

State law further requires that no candidate’s name will appear on the official ballot unless a written, signed, and sworn Declaration of Candidacy is filed with the City Clerk by the deadline. Candidates who have been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony or certain misdemeanors under federal or state law are barred from seeking municipal office, including offenses in other states that would be considered felonies in Missouri.

For more information about filing procedures or candidate qualifications, prospective candidates are encouraged to contact City Clerk Sheila Ernzen by email at sernzen@kearneymo.us, by phone at 816-903-4738, or visit the City’s website at www.kearneymo.us.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.