KEARNEY – Kearney High held a 28-0 lead with 1:46 left in the first quarter and maintained their dominance throughout the rest of the contest, downing North Platte for the second win of the year at home. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
North Platte entered the contest at 2-0 with dominant wins over a Class B preseason favorite, Aurora, and a road contest at Fremont. With a commanding run game averaging 343 rush yards per contest, the Bulldogs looked to win their first game over the Bearcats since 2008.
Kearney returned to Foster Field after falling to Burke the previous week. The Bearcats did not waste any time in getting momentum to their side, taking the opening kickoff and setting the tone with a 9 play, 76 yard scoring drive that ended with a 1 yard touchdown plunge by senior Parker Wise. The opening possession also included two third down conversions. Kearney led 7-0.
North Platte took the ball and began their methodical offensive strategy. After two first down runs, a late pitch on a triple option look fell to the turf and was scooped off the turf by Kearney’s D’Andre Ndugwa, who sprinted 43 yards for the fumble recovery and score. With 6:40 left in the opening quarter, Kearney led 14-0.
On the ensuing possession, the Bulldogs fumbling woes continued as only after three rushes, the Bearcats pounced on another mistake. Set up at the North Platte 17 yard line, quarterback Riley Miller lofted a corner touchdown toss inside the pylon to Kaden Miller. 21-0 Kearney as 5:02 remained in the first.
North Platte did get some movement on their next possession. Vince Genatone, the all-state caliber linebacker and running back took the kickoff inside Kearney territory to the Bearcat 30 yard line. The Bulldogs offense stalled however, as Kearney’s defense rose to a 4th down stop to create a turnover on downs.
Kearney was in trouble after a short gain on first down and an incomplete pass on second, but Kaden Miller again sprinted down the North Platte sideline as a high arching moonshot toss from Riley Miller landed right on target, allowing Kaden to go 79 yards for the score. Kearney led 28-0 with 1:46 remaining.
North Platte’s next possession would end the first quarter and continue into the second as the Bulldogs marched on a 10 play scoring drive ending with a touchdown run to Tate Janas. Kearney maintained their lead at 28-7.
The Bearcats next drive ended after 6 plays, a few penalties, and a fumble recovered by North Platte. The Bearcats defense stood tall however, ending any scoring opportunities as North Platte was forced to punt.
With 2:49 remaining in the first half, Kearney methodically worked its way down the field with a 11 play scoring drive, punctuated with a 1 yard touchdown dive by Chris Dutenhoffer as time expired in the half. 35-7 Kearney at the halftime buzzer.
North Platte would stall on offense out of halftime, and Kearney would add another score by Dutenhoffer.
Against reserves, the Bulldog offense added another score but the damage was done and the final from Ron and Carol Cope Stadium showed 42-14, Kearney.
The Bearcats win their second game of the season, now at 2-1 on the year. Kearney will travel to Millard West next week. Pregame coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
North Platte suffers its first loss of the season, falling to 2-1. The Bulldogs return home to take on Lincoln North Star.
