OMAHA/PAPILLION – The clock stopped at 10:30 remaining in the third quarter, both teams stared at each other from opposing sidelines. No one was moving, and no one was playing offense or defense. Some head officials and school administrators had stopped the action and began speaking with the referees and coaching staffs. Then, in a blink of an eye, it was a mad dash to the exits as Kearney and Omaha Westside faithful hustled across Omaha to finish out the Bearcats and Warriors matchup at Papillion-LaVista South High School.
The contest would end in favor of the Warriors 42-14, reclaiming their spot among Class A’s dominant programs. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Before the shenanigans began, Kearney and Westside both entered the Metro at 5-1 on the year with plenty to prove after each suffered Week 6 losses. Kearney fell to Grand Island in a close battle to their local rival at home. Meanwhile, an earth-shattering upset by unranked North Platte over Westside toppled weekly rankings as well as giving Westside their first regular season loss since 2019.
To begin Friday night’s matchup, Kearney would win the toss and defer their selection to the second half. Omaha Westside would trot out their formidable offense first, led by second year starting quarterback Anthony Rezac. Westside would have to wait to find their first round of success, going three-and-out and punting to the Bearcats.
Kearney would not do much with a three-and-out on their opening possession as well. A Bearcat punt set up Westside at the Kearney forty-six yard line, where another three plays would subside for the Warriors. However, these three plays went for an eight yard run by Jahmez Ross, followed by a huge gain on a pass to Ross, then an 11 yard touchdown run by Rezac to take a 7-0 lead with 8:06 remaining in the first.
Kearney would play ball with Westside, taking a ten play drive inside the Westside thirty yard line until a kick misfired to maintain the score at 7-0 in favor of the home squad. Westside would then proceed down the field with a seven play drive that culminated in a forced fumble by Kearney and recovered by the Bearcats.
Another ten play drive by Kearney would end in a missed field goal at the beginning moments of the second quarter. Westside would not let another chance slip, however, scoring in 7 plays on a 48 yard drive after the Kearney missed kick was returned to the Bearcat 48 yard line. Rezac hit the touchdown toss to Ross for another connection that ended with the eleven yard touchdown, making the Westside lead 14-0 with 7:25 remaining in the second quarter.
Kearney’s ensuing drive would stall out after seven plays and a punt, giving Westside a chance to blow the doors open on an electrifying 85 yard touchdown catch-and-run by Jaelyn Lloyd. Westside 21-0 with 4:37 remaining in the first half.
The Bearcats would go five plays and punt, but the Kearney defense would force another turnover quickly as the Bearcats Justin Murray pounced on an opportunity for a turnover. Kearney would move the ball down the field well, going for a fourth down conversion score from quarterback Treyven Beckman to Zander Reuling sixteen yards out to complete a seven play, 45 yard scoring drive to cut the Westside lead to 21-7.
Halftime would come with controversy, as Westside would rock down the field attempting to set up a field goal attempt. However, time would expire according to the on-field officials and would grant Westside their 21-7 lead into the respective locker rooms.
Beginning the third quarter, Kearney would only go five plays before another punt. Enter: shenanigans.
After the situation settled and both teams relocated to Papillion-LaVista South High School, the squads were granted a short time to stretch, collaborate, and then began play again with Westside attempting to continue to balloon their lead.
The Warriors did just that, on eight plays ending with a Westside touchdown by Rezac. 7:07 left in the third as Omaha Westside led 28-7.
Kearney would not die easy, as Beckman orchestrated some masterful throws to set up a 39 yard touchdown strike to Karter Lee for a momentum changing drive that cut the Westside lead to 28-14.
Omaha Westside would score on their next two drives before kneeling out the rest of the game clock, as Kearney would only get one more chance for points on another missed field goal opportunity. The Warriors would bleed the clock dry, ending the game as 42-14 victors.
Kearney falls to 5-2 on the season and takes on winless Lincoln Northeast on Friday night at home for Senior Night and Homecoming.
