OMAHA – The Kearney Bearcats found themselves in a 21-7 hole entering the second half but were able to mount a furious comeback that ended just short at Omaha Burke on Friday night. Listen to the broadcast replay here.
Kearney was 1-0 and feeling confident entering the Week 2 matchup after downing their rival Grand Island the previous week. Burke on the other hand had to have felt a bit shaky from their performance on opening night – getting throttled 58-14 at the hands of Bellevue West.
Burke came out a much different team at home in Week 2, as the first possession of the game set the tone for what the game would become. The Bulldogs methodically marched down the field on a 9 play drive that went deep into Bearcat territory. Kearney clamped down defensively and then shut down Burke by blocking their field goal attempt as Parker Wise jumped through the line to keep the game a scoreless tie.
Kearney proceeded to maneuver down the field with a variety of play calls – three consecutive runs by Parker Wise followed by quarterback power by Riley Miller and a screen pass to Wise ate up significant chunks of offense. A 12 yard gain by Chris Dutenhoffer set up Riley Miller’s lofting endzone toss to Kaden Miller, who beat his defender with a double move to bring in the first score of the game on a 25 yard touchdown reception. Kearney led 7-0.
Burke picked up where they left off, however, and methodically plotted down into Kearney territory on a 12 play, 80 yard scoring drive that involved two fourth down conversions. The most significant came as the first quarter came to a close and opened the second quarter, as quarterback Cooper Katskee hit Trae Starks for a four yard touchdown. Burke had answered and tied the game at 7.
Kearney’s ensuing possession would go three-and-out, giving Burke an opportunity to take their first lead. The Bulldogs pounced at the opportunity, as they proceeded to score on another touchdown pass to Bryton Nelson from Katskee, capping a 9 play drive. Burke led 14-7.
The Bearcats looked to respond by answering with their own score before the halftime bell, but Burke defensive star Devon Jackson had other plans. The four star athlete with 19 different Division 1 scholarship offers from his efforts as an outside linebacker intercepted a Riley Miller toss and had nothing but open field for a 52 yard pick-6 that gave Burke a 21-7 lead.
Kearney’s ensuing drive did get into Burke territory, but stalled with negative plays ending the half as Kearney entered the second half with a two score deficit.
Starting the third quarter Kearney could not get the offense going resulting in a punt after 5 plays, but the defense was able to step up and figure out Burke’s offensive rhythm. After being sliced by running back Donovan Moody’s cutbacks in the first half, the Bearcat defense stepped up and corralled Moody. Kearney still allowed some chunk plays as Burke drove down the field, but Parker Wise stepped up and made a key interception that gave Kearney the ball back in Burke territory.
The Bearcat offense was stalled however, and throw an incomplete pass on fourth down. The score remained 21-7.
Burke would end the quarter with a snail pace offensive drive that chewed up time but Kearney got a sack and aided by a holding penalty, would force the Bulldogs to punt entering the fourth quarter.
Kearney would begin the fourth quarter threatening inside Burke territory and the Miller connection continued as Riley found Kaden in the endzone for another touchdown toss to bring the score to 21-13. The point after attempt would fail after a bad snap resulted in an interception on a potential two point conversion.
Burke’s offense on the proceeding drive had a big run from Jackson get loose for a first down, but stalled after Katksee fumbled the ball on third down scrambling out of the pocket. Burke would punt, and Kearney would then march down the field on a 10 play drive that resulted in 2nd and goal inside the Bulldog redzone. The Bearcats would throw three consecutive incomplete passes, would turnover on downs, and sent the defense out once again facing a 21-13 deficit with 4:37 remaining in the contest.
Burke looked to chew some time off the clock with two consecutive runs, but elected to put the ball in the air on third down and 5 to go. After being pressured to his left, Katskee threw an interception to Kaden Miller, as Miller cut across the intended target and brought the pick back into goal-to-go territory again.
The Bearcats used first down on a negative run play that created 2nd and goal from the 14 yard line. An incomplete pass then brought third down, and Riley Miller found a streaking D’Andre Ndugwa in the middle of the field for the touchdown from 14 yards out. To bring the game to a tie, Kearney would roll out Miller to his right on the two point conversion and he would find Parker Wise alone by the front pylon. In Burke stadium, Kearney had mounted a comeback to remember tied at 21 with 2:22 left to play.
The next four plays in the contest all went the way of the Bulldogs, however. After the kickoff, Burke found a short completion for 5 yards. Katskee then quickly set the line for second down with three receivers to his right on the far side of the field. Sending his inside receivers deep down the field, Katskee scrambled to find Jackson alone at the sticks, who then broke a tackle and used his blazing speed to outrun Kearney’s defense 75 yards for what would be the game winning score. After the point after attempt, Burke led 28-21.
The following kickoff was gathered in by Kearney, and after crossing the Bearcat 45 yard line a fumble wound up in the waiting arms of Omaha Burke. Stunned silence over the Kearney sideline as Burke would get their first down and drain the remaining time, winning 28-21.
Burke evens their record at 1-1 on the year. The Bulldogs will hit the road and face Millard North next week.
Kearney falls to 1-1 on the season and will face North Platte next week back at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium. Pregame coverage will start at 6:30 PM on Friday night.
