Bulldogs are 3-0 with 34-14 Win over Smithville

Kearney took another step forward in conference and district competition with a hard-hitting 34-14 victory over rival Smithville. The Warriors and Bulldogs are top-ranked teams in both Missouri Class-4 and the Suburban Blue Conference.

Kearney took another step forward in conference and district competition with a hard-hitting 34-14 victory over rival Smithville. Photo: Eric Stevens.

On a hot, 80-plus degree night in which both teams fumbled twice and turned the ball over on downs, it was a gritty performance that lived up to the hype of a long-standing rivalry.

“I’m proud of our kids’ effort. To be honest, I think we can play a little better than what we did, but anytime you beat a Smithville program, you're happy regardless of what the score is,” said head coach Logan Minnick. “That's a really good football team.”

Kearney linebacker Kale Tucking set the tone physically with a recovered Smithville fumble in the opening minutes of the game.

The Bulldogs scored first late in the first quarter on a Carter Temple 22-yard touchdown pass to Hudson Best.

Temple scored on a 3-yard keeper midway into the second quarter. A missed 2-point conversion attempt left the score 13-0.

Temple finished the game scoring three rushing touchdowns (19 carries for 80 yards) and two passing touchdowns (9 of 14 for 111 yards).

Smithville’s workhorse running back, Lincoln Roske had 97 rushing yards on 19 carries, but a stout Bulldog defense forced him into two fumbles and held him to one touchdown.

Roske scored on a 3-yard carry with two minutes to play in the first half. The Bulldogs answered with a Carter Temple goal-line blast into the endzone, giving Kearney a 20-7 halftime advantage.

Temple threw to running back Dryden Hendrix on a spectacular 40-yard catch and run with 4:28 to go in the fourth quarter.

Smithville came back with a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Quinten Morse to Peyton Steffen with 9:22 remaining in the game.

“After they get that touchdown on fourth down – what a catch by (Steffen) – we had two guys on it, and he still comes up with it,” said Minnick. “I told our offense, (Smithville) is not getting the football back. We're going on a 7-minute drive here. We're closing this game out. We're going to play Kearney football, we're not going to put it in the air, we're going to run the football and win in the weight room.”

Kearney travels to Class-6 Park Hill next week. Bulldog linebacker Aiden Arellano, one of the team’s leading tacklers, sees room for improvement.

“We need to play better than we did tonight,” said Arellano. “We obviously did very well but that's not our best.”

The most satisfying story about this team so far this season is the Kearney Bulldogs just beat their state-ranked rival by 20 points and held them to two touchdowns. And according to the head coach and team leaders, this 3-0 Kearney Bulldog football team – with a nasty defense, a dual-threat, touchdown machine at quarterback, starter-level player depth across the roster, and a state-level, top-tier coaching staff – all recognize there is so much more to accomplish.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Secure Victory with Explosive Start and Solid Pitching

The Kearney Bulldogs softball team set the tone early with a commanding five-run rally in the first inning, paving the way to an 8-1 victory over the Park Hill South Panthers on Thursday, September 11.

Caroline Jury blasted a solo home run to center field, working a seven-pitch at-bat into a highlight-reel moment for the home crowd. Photo: David Haggart

Fueled by timely hitting, the Bulldogs wasted no time establishing their lead. Alyssa Quick and Morgan Pennington each delivered run-scoring singles, while Caroline Jury doubled in another run. Bailey Sharp capped off the rally with a two-run triple, giving Kearney a 5-1 edge after the opening frame.

Though Park Hill South struck first with a run in the top of the first—courtesy of a single by Kinsey Haley—the Bulldogs’ early surge proved insurmountable.

Kearney added to their tally in the fifth inning when Caroline Jury blasted a solo home run to center field, working a seven-pitch at-bat into a highlight-reel moment for the home crowd.

On the mound, Reghan Lueken was masterful, earning the win with a complete seven-inning performance. Lueken scattered six hits, surrendered just one run, struck out six Panthers, and did not walk a single batter.

The Bulldogs’ offense was relentless, racking up 15 hits in total. Pennington, Jury, Quick, Brooke Paalhar, Reese Narron, and Sharp all collected two hits apiece. Pennington, Jury, and Sharp each drove in a pair of runs. On the basepaths, Paalhar swiped two bases, further pressuring the Panthers’ defense.

Kearney’s defense was flawless, not committing a single error. Quick led the way in the field with eight defensive chances, showcasing the team’s sure-handed play.

For the Panthers, Kinsey Haley led the offense, going 2-for-3 with their lone RBI. Macie Booth and Jolie Jones also contributed two hits each, but Park Hill South was unable to string together enough offense against Kearney’s pitching and defense.

With this win, Kearney High School Varsity continues to demonstrate their strength both at the plate and in the field, building momentum as the season progresses.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Take Down Grandview 56-13

Kearney held a 50-7 lead at halftime against conference opponent, Grandview Bulldogs. Junior quarterback Carter Temple connected on 17 of 23 passing attempts for 308 yards and five touchdowns. Temple spread the ball to 7 receivers with Dryden Hendrix (65 yards) and Drew Nelson (64 yards) leading the way. Hendrix and Nelson each scored two touchdowns. Matthew Lindsey had 55 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Junior quarterback Carter Temple connected on 17 of 23 passing attempts for 308 yards and five touchdowns.

Grandview running back, Micha Rainey slipped free from the Bulldogs second unit defense with an 86-yard touchdown run at the 4:15 mark in the second quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, Brad Doll, Kearney senior cornerback, returned the favor, running 75 yards for the touchdown. Carter Temple kept the ball and darted into the endzone for the 2-point conversion with 4:03 remaining in the first half.

Kearney finished out the second half with second-unit players including a number of sophomores. Micha Rainey broke free on a 10-yard touchdown scamper which would be Grandview’s only second half score. Kearney’s Matthew Lindsey finished with the final touchdown of the evening, topping off the Bulldog victory at 56-13.

The defense held Grandview to just 141 yards. Grant Bogert, Kale Tucking, Lane Cook and Isaac Beaver all recorded sacks on the night. The Kearney Bulldog offense finished the evening averaging 11.8 yards per play.

The Bulldogs host rival Smithville this Friday at Bulldog High School Stadium.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.