The second quarter began with a Tyrus Smith, 2-yard carry from the heavy formation (also known as the Ham Package), giving the senior all-state center his first score as a ball carrier. “We practiced it yesterday and got it done,” said Smith. “It felt like I was back in the day, playing running back in little league. It felt natural,” Smith said.
“Tyrus looked like Jerome Bettis right there, said head coach Logan Minnick. “We got the big fella in there. I was excited for him, and I know the kids were excited for him too,” Minnick added.
Senior running back Tristan Williams led the Bulldogs with 63 yards on 12 carries, scoring the first of his two touchdowns with 4:27 to go in the second quarter. Dillon’s PAT gave Kearney a 29-0 lead.
With less than a minute on the clock, Bulldog senior wide receiver Trent Dostal caught a 50-yard pass from quarterback Carter Temple to set up a 2-yard follow-up touchdown throw – again to Dostal – on the next play. Kearney went to halftime with a commanding 36-0 lead after the Dillon PAT.
Coach Minnick talked about Trent Dostal’s skill sets: “Yeah, Trent plays both ways and he's really good at both, and on special teams. We’re very fortunate to have him. I’m very excited for him to finally get his time out here under the Friday night lights because he's earned it.”
Tristan Williams added his second touchdown on a 17-yard carry late in the third quarter and Jacob Dillon was accurate on the PAT.
At 43-0, the running clock gave the Bulldogs just enough time for the second unit and JV teams to score as sophomore Kale Tucking dashed 51 yards for the final score of the game and the shutout. Bulldogs 50, Raytown South 0.
“There's a lot of leadership in the locker room,” said Senior Trent Dostal. “I see a lot of the seniors telling the younger kids what they see out there, and that way, the younger kids know what to do. Those younger kids are also paying attention in the film room. They're also there on Sundays, always looking to get better,” said Dostal.
The 7-0 Kearney Bulldogs host Winnetonka on Friday, October 18. 102.7FM will broadcast the game. Pregame begins at 6:40. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM.
Mike Davis contributed to this story.
