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 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.

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.