Bulldogs Shine in GKC Softball Tournament

The Kearney Bulldogs softball team traveled to Adair Field in Independence, MO, to play in the Greater Kansas City Suburban Softball Invitational on Friday and Saturday, August 30 and 31. The players’ bats were hungry as the Bulldogs took four of five games in the tournament.

Game one was against the Grain Valley Eagles and was the Bulldogs’ only loss of the tournament. Alyssa Quick pitched at the start of the game, giving up two runs on two hits. Kate Landewee relieved Quick in the third inning and gave up an additional run but struck out five and walked one. Ryleigh Van Emmerik and Kennedi Casey each collected one hit for Kearney, but the Eagles shut out the Bulldogs, 3-0.

Photo by Vanessa Lincoln

Game two was played against the Odessa Bulldogs. Kearney started strong in the first inning after Kennedi Casey singled, scoring one run. They added to their early lead in the top of the third inning with Jocelyn Lincoln scoring a run. Odessa took the lead, 4-3, in the bottom of the third, but Ryleigh Van Emmerik singled, which helped Kearney Varsity Bulldogs tie the game in the fourth, and Casey singled, and Brooke Paalhar doubled, each scoring one run. Reghan Lueken earned the 6-4 win for Kearney.

Van Emmerik, Macy Morrow, and Casey each racked up two hits for Kearney Varsity Bulldogs. Casey went 2-for-2 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in.

Photo by Vanessa Lincoln

The Bulldogs came away victorious in Game 3 against the Pleasant Hill Chicks 8-4. Brooke Paalhar singled, scoring one run, Kate Stumpenhaus singled, scoring one run, Jocelyn Lincoln homered to right field, scoring three runs, and Reese Narron grounded out, scoring one run, all in the first inning. In the second inning Brooke homered to center field, scoring two runs.

The Bulldogs accumulated 11 hits in the game. Ryleigh Van Emmerik, Lincoln, Paalhar, and Kennedi Casey each collected two hits for Kearney Varsity Bulldogs. Lincoln and Paalhar each drove in three runs.

Kearney earns a walk-off victory over the Platte County Pirates in Game 4 by a score of 7-5. The Bulldogs were down 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Jocelyn Lincoln homered to center field, scoring three runs. Lincoln drove in six runners in the win.

Kearney piled up 10 hits in the game. Lincoln and Paalhar each collected three hits for Kearney and Landewee collected two hits in two at bats.

The Bulldogs came away with another walk off win in Game 5 against the Lee’s Summit West Titans, 5-4. Kearney tied the game at three in the bottom of the fifth when Brooke Paalhar doubled. A walk in the top of the seventh gave the Titans the lead but Kennedi Casey singled, and Stumpenhaus hit into a fielder's choice, each scoring one run in the bottom of the seventh to win the game.

Kearney will travel to Blue Springs for their next game on Wednesday.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Hold Ft. Osage Scoreless on the Road

The Class 4 defending state champs reloaded their 2024 roster with speed, power, and defense. In a nail-biter against one of the top-ranked teams in Missouri, the Kearney Bulldog defense locked down an explosive Ft. Osage offense for the better part of four quarters.

Bulldog Senior Tre Smith darted through the Ft. Osage defense on a 15-yard reverse in the second quarter for the opening score. Jacob Dillon’s point after gave Kearney a 7-point lead that the defense protected until the Bulldogs scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes – one of which was a pick six – shutting out Ft. Osage 21-0.

“I’m just glad we got the shutout,” said senior linebacker Theo Grace. “Last year, we were a great defense, but we couldn’t get the shutout, so that’s just awesome to see on the scoreboard.”

If indeed, great defenses win championships, the Ft. Osage Indians, and the Kearney Bulldogs have promising futures this season.

Grant Noland - photo by Chrystan Ferrell

“That’ll be one of the best defenses we’ll play against all year and I’m sure their coach will tell you the same thing about ours,” said Kearney head coach Logan Minnick. “That’s one of the best defenses you’re going to see. They’re physical, they run well. That number-seven, Anthony Thompson is one of the best linebackers I’ve coached against in my career. He is an absolute monster. We were throwing two and three guys at him at the same time, and he was still making plays.”

The Bulldogs held tightly to a 7-point lead for nearly three straight quarters as both defenses slugged it out. Ft. Osage threatened to score in the fourth quarter after a sustained drive and a deep pass from Jonathan Ross to Nicholas Penamon. The Bulldog defense prevailed.

Just as Kearney’s offense appeared to have the game salted away on safe running plays up the middle, Grant Noland took the shotgun snap and sprinted outside and down the sideline 35 yards for what appeared to be the final touchdown of the game. Jacob Dillon’s point after gave Kearney a late 14-0 lead.

“During the time-out huddle, Coach Minnick said: ‘Grant, jab-step outside,’ Theo (Grace) got the edge sealed and it worked,” Noland said.

Aidan Arellano Captures the interception and takes it to the house to clinch the win. - Photo by CHrystan Ferrell

In their final possession, under heavy pressure, Ft. Osage quarterback Jonathan Ross threw a late interception as Kearney defensive back Aidan Arellano jumped the pass and ran untouched to the endzone for the pick-6.

“I’m Unbelievably proud of our kids, I think we were in a little bit better shape than they were as it came down the stretch, and we take a lot of pride in that,” Minnick said.

“I love starting off the season with hard games,” said Grace. “Our first four games are hard and that’ll get us ready to play against tougher teams.”

The Bulldogs host Grandview Friday, September 6. 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.

Bulldog Football Kicks Off Friday

Bulldog Football begins on Friday, August 30, and Kearney begins the season travelling to Fort Osage High School.

The 2023 Class 4 State Champion Kearney Bulldogs

The 2023 Class 4 State Champion Kearney Bulldogs start defending their title Friday night with the first game against the Fort Osage Indians. Coach Minnick told KPGZ that the first game will be a well-fought match up.

“They have three receivers back and a much more athletic and throwing quarterback this year,” Minnick said about the Indians. “They’re going to be a physical football team. They’re going to spread it around.”

The game will be broadcast on 102.7FM, and the KPGZ mobile app.

The game will be played at Fort Osage High School, 2101 N Twyman Rd. Independence, MO. Gates open at 5:30 and tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for K-12 students. Kids under age 5 are free. Only students from Fort Osage and Kearney will be admitted with current student ID.

The game will be broadcast on 102.7FM, KPGZ websites 1027KearneyMO.com and KearneyCountry.com, and the KPGZ mobile app. Pregame starts at 6:40 pm and play-by-play action begins at 7 pm.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.