KHS Football @ Lincoln Northeast // Steve Mosely
LINCOLN – Domination for Kearney from start to finish pushed the Bearcats to 7-1 on the season, with a feel-good 55-0 win over Lincoln Northeast at Seacrest Field. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Kearney dropped their first game of the season at home the week prior, falling to No. 1 Omaha Westside 56-0. A chance for the ultimate “get right” game appeared next on the schedule, as the Bearcats hit the road to face the winless Lincoln Northeast Rockets.
Northeast had not won a game since September 2021, aimed to keep the game closer than their 50 point loss at North Platte the week prior.
Severe weather forecasts pushed the contest to an adjusted schedule, as the game would be the first Thursday night kickoff for Kearney in 2023. With a chance for lightning, wind gusts, and rain, the game was moved up to a 4;30 PM kickoff time from Lincoln’s Seacrest Field.
Kearney began the contest on defense, as the Rockets won the toss and elected to receive. Multiple injuries sidelined several Northeast starters, including their starting quarterback and running back. Instead, junior Jacian Brown would earn the nod at quarterback, and would be immediately put under the thumb of the attacking Bearcats. Back-to-back incompletions gave Kearney the ball back on the three-and-out, as Zander Reuling weaved through the special teams for a electrifying score, instead called back by a holding penalty. Kearney would remain unfazed, as Able Molina would score on one play, 26 yards out for the opening score. 7-0 Kearney with still more than ten minutes to play.
Following another three-and-out from the Rockets, Molina ripped another touchdown run. Two carries for the senior back resulted in two scores, as the 51 yarder led the Bearcats 14-0 in the opening minutes.
Northeast’s next drive would be their longest of the day, going nearly 60 yards and sixteen plays. Mixing the run and pass, Brown connected with Adam Sherman for a seam route for a 24 yard completion, followed by a first down reception three plays later by Carter Armory. After converting a fourth down, Northeast would push in a few more first downs before falling back on a fourth and goal from the Bearcats 12 yard line. The field goal attempt would push short and left, keeping the Bearcat lead 14-0.
Kearney wasted no time to score again, as Eli Randolph would do the damage next going 85 yards for a score. Kearney had went four plays with three touchdowns, leading 21-0.
An interception by junior Cayden John past midfield set up Kearney at their own 41 yard line. Griffin Novacek began his next big play in the pocket, escaping for a first down scramble then hit Maddox Miller for a score three plays later from 36 yards out to extend the lead 28-0.
Northeast would have three straight incompletions to turnover on downs again, As Kearney began the second quarter on a seven play drive, moving 71 yards down the field with reserves mixing in on offense. Junior back Sam Nacthigal punched in his first varsity score, going in from 15 yards out for a Kearney 34-0 lead after the PAT missed.
Kearney would add another score before halftime, going up 41-0 after another Nachtigal touchdown run from two yards out.
The Bearcats reserves saw all the action in the second half, forcing two interceptions (one by Rhett Mundorf, another by Josh Dolence) and added two more scores from Kenton McIlhenny (3 yard touchdown run) and a Jake Kracl touchdown pass to Carson Baker from 37 yards out.
Kearney also preserved their shutout, earning the 55-0 victory in the Capital City.
The Bearcats (7-1) return home to finish out the regular season hosting Norfolk on Friday night, Oct. 20. Northeast (0-8) heads to Omaha Westside to end their 2023 season.
KHS Football @ Lincoln Northeast // Steve Mosely
UNOFFICIAL KGFW KEARNEY HIGH STATS:
TEAM PASSING: 10/13, 157 yards, 3 TD
Griffin Novacek: 3/5, 62 yards, 1 TD
Jake Kracl: 7/8, 95 yards, 1 TD
TEAM RUSHING: 35 carries, 430 rushing yards, 6 TD
Sam Nachtigal: 12 carries, 131 yards, 2 TD
Eli Randolph: 2 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD
Able Molina: 3 carries, 89 yards, 2 TD
Kenton McElhinny: 3 carries, 13 yards, 1 TD
Alex Techmeier: 3 carries, 16 yards
TEAM: 9 carries, 63 yards
TEAM RECEIVING:
Carson Baker: 2 receptions, 42 yards, 1 TD
Maddox Miller: 1 reception, 36 yards, 1 TD
Luke Brachle: 1 reception, 33 yards
Josh Dolence: 2 receptions, 20 yards
Karter Lee: 1 reception, 18 yards
Zander Reuling: 1 reception, 8 yards
