OMAHA – The outcome was determined early, as Kearney dominated the first half and many reserves saw action as the Bearcats owned Omaha Northwest 47-21 on Friday night. Click here to listen to the broadcast.
Kearney came into the contest at 3-5 on the season looking to clinch their playoff birth with a win. Northwest wanted to continue to show improvement on the season, having not earned a win since Week 1 and sitting at 1-7 on the year.
The Bearcats started strong, flexing their defensive muscles early. Omaha Northwest elected to receive the opening kickoff and went three-and-out on their opening possession. After punting to senior Kaden Miller, the receiver found some room to start Kearney’s first possession at the Northwest 31 yard line. This would start a recurring theme for Kearney throughout the first half.
Kearney only needed two plays to score first. A 29 yard run followed by a false start penalty backed senior back Parker Wise to the 7 yard line, where he found a crease to ease into the endzone for a 7 yard touchdown run. Bearcats led 7-0.
Four plays later, Kearney would have the ball again in Northwest territory. After converting to move the chains on first down, Northwest quarterback Nate Ayer would run for a yard, throw an incompletion, followed by a strip-sack interception to Parker Wise. Defensive end D’Andre Ndugwa created the pressure that led to the batted pass into Wise’s diving attempt. The Bearcats took advantage of the turnover by way of another two play drive capped by a 21 yard touchdown sprint by Rian Green. 14-0 Kearney with 8:07 to play in the first quarter.
Northwest would have some time to move the ball down the field, going six plays before punting back to Kearney. The Bearcats, starting their first drive in their own territory, kicked off the possession by giving Wise another handoff and plenty of space to rumble 50 yards. Following an incomplete pass, Kearney handed outside to Green again for a 30 yard touchdown run. 21-0 Kearney, still in the first quarter.
Northwest would have another drive enter Kearney territory, starting at their own 24 yard line. The Huskies marched down the field, mixing run and pass and a heavy dose of senior Brandon Birdow. 9 plays into the drive, Northwest faced a third down and twelve from the Kearney 35 yard line. The Bearcats defense shored up, forcing back-to-back incompletions, and creating the turnover on downs.
Attempting to shorten their possessions even further, quarterback Riley Miller connected with reserve tight end Hudson Bertrand down the seam on the ensuing play. Bertrand caught the ball ten yards downfield, and won the foot race 65 yards to the end zone. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful, as Kearney led 27-0 as 13 seconds remained in the first quarter.
The rout was fully on for the Bearcats, as the start of the second quarter saw another fumble from Omaha Northwest. Recovered by the Bearcats, Kearney sent out the starters to put the game away for good. From the Northwest 40 yard line, Kearney used their longest drive in terms of plays – a 6 play drive – ending in a 31 yard touchdown toss from Miller to Miller. 34-0 Kearney with 9:21 to play.
Following another Northwest three-and-out by the Bearcat starting defense, reserves saw action the rest of the night. Kearney used junior quarterback Treyvan Beckman and junior back Ethan Kowalek to move the ball into field goal territory, where James Dakan only attempt of the evening was just shy of the crossbar. Following a Husky three-and-out, Kearney put the ball into the belly of Kowalek and rode the junior into the endzone of a 2 yard touchdown run. 41-0 Kearney.
The second half would expire, allowing more reserves to see action in the second half. A touchdown run by Beckman extended the lead 47-0 for Kearney, as Northwest would find three scores in the final quarter with Kearney’s sophomore team in action gaining valuable varsity experience for the future. The final from Omaha Northwest – a sound Kearney victory 47-21.
Kearney improved to 4-5 on the year and is seeded against Elkhorn South in the first round of the NSAA Class A Football Playoffs. Kickoff and pregame times have yet to be announced. Coverage will be carried on KGFW. The Storm and Bearcats faced off two weeks prior in the final regular season game at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium. Elkhorn South won 21-7.
Omaha Northwest has their season come to a close on Friday, falling to 1-8.
