3-25-23 RICK TUCKER , NRG Media Kearney High Football vs Lincoln East
KEARNEY – Mother Nature nor Lincoln East would hold back the Kearney Bearcat Football team from a season opening victory late Friday night as the Bearcats rallied for a 21 point third quarter to move past the Spartans in the season opener, claiming a 41-28 victory. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Kearney entered the season riding off a 7-3 year last season, following the lead of their graduated star quarterback Treyven Beckman’s record breaking passing performances. The Bearcats returned several key pieces from the 2022 roster, as Coach Brandon Cool’s team looked to continue another drive to the postseason in their home opener against Lincoln East.
The Spartans were a playoff team in 2022, but graduated their most prolific player in school history as Malachi Coleman left to join Nebraska Football. Head Coach John Gingery still had a full cupboard, as quarterback Jeter Worthley (a Michigan baseball commit) and running back/linebacker Dash Bauman (Wyoming Football commit) returned to lead Lincoln East.
After a week dominated by extreme heat, cloudy skies dotted the Kearney air with the Bearcats winning the coin toss and deferring to the second half. Kearney’s defense went to work early on the opening possessions, forcing consecutive three-and-outs on the Spartan offense led by Sawyer Schilke with a tackle for loss and assisted sack. The Bearcat offense sputtered at first with a three-and-out then fumble on the second drive, but newly minted quarterback Griffin Novacek was at work on the third drive.
3-25-23 RICK TUCKER, NRG Media
Kearney High vs Lincoln East
Eli Randolph had the action started with a first down run, followed by a Novacek dart to Kaleb Larson for a first down. A big chunk run by the junior led to a 33 yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Zander Reuling, as Kearney drew blood first up 6-0 after a missed point after.
Zander Reuling Scores v. LE // KHS FB v. LE // CNT // NRG CN // Mitchell Brandt Photography
East’s Worthley responded with a six play, 80 yard drive of his own ending in a 32 yard touchdown pass to Owen Laessig on a jump ball that went in favor of the Spartan. East would hit their PAT, leading 7-6 at the start of the second quarter.
Following a Kearney punt after five offensive plays, Worthley methodically marched the Spartans down the field in the second quarter for a 10 play, 68 yard touchdown drive ending on a power run by the quarterback into the endzone. Lincoln East bullied their lead further on the road, up 14-6.
Kearney received the ball back on their own 20 yard line and methodically made their way down the field with tough running by senior Eli Randolph, as the returning running back opened the drive with a big run followed by a huge gain by Reuling through the air. On the fifth play of the drive, Novacek hit Randolph on a screen pass with a cut back lane to spill the senior for a score. Kearney continued to trail 14-13 in the late second quarter.
Eli Randolph Scores // KHS FB v. LE // CNT // NRG CN // Mitchell Brandt Photography
The Bearcats’ momentum ceased at the end of the half, as Lincoln East darted down the field in five plays, ending on a 29 yard touchdown pass from Worthley to extend their lead 21-13 entering halftime.
As both teams entered halftime, Mother Nature made her presence felt with a storm cell that produced heavy rain and lightning across Buffalo County. The cell would not depart for ninety minutes, resulting in a delay to start the second half. The rain soaked field deterred many fans back to their homes for the third quarter, but Kearney was determined to come out hot.
After the delay, the Bearcats received the second half kick-off with authority. A strong return by Karter Lee established Kearney on a six play, 53 yard drive aided by a 25 yard reception by Reuling and a first down run by senior back Able Molina. Molina punched in the score, cutting the deficit to 21-20 with 9:28 remaining in the third.
3-25-23 RICK TUCKER , NRG Media
Kearney High vs Lincoln East
After a three-and-out for East punctuated by a huge sack by the Bearcat defense, Kearney went two plays and 22 yards after a healthy punt return by Reuling to score again. Novacek hit Beau Skala striding into the endzone for the 17 yard touchdown reception, giving Kearney the third quarter lead up 27-21.
3-25-23 RICK TUCKER , NRG Media
Kearney High vs Lincoln LE
The Bearcats defense would stiffen up, holding back Lincoln East after the Spartans hit yet another big pass play to Laessig on back-to-back plays covering forty yards. After three straight incompletions that nearly resulted in interceptions for Kearney, the Bearcats Schilke blitzed the backside of Worthley for a turnover-on-downs sack.
Three plays later, Kearney extended their lead with Griffin Novacek proving lightning isn’t only in the sky on Friday nights – electrifying his way to a 45 yard rumble score. Kearney led 34-21 with 2:02 remaining in the third.
Lincoln East would respond again, marching a seven play 76 yard drive capped off by a Jeter Worthley touchdown toss to Presley Hall on the back line of the endzone. 34-28 Kearney entering the fourth quarter.
While East felt confident in their comeback bid, Kearney’s Able Molina would put the Bearcats on his back. Busting through the line of scrimmage, Molina was more than able to cover the next 66 yards to pay dirt – giving Kearney a comfortable 41-28 lead they would not relinquish.
KHS Rowdies // KHS FB v. LE // CNT // NRG CN // Mitchell Brandt Photography
A late Larson interception of Worthley sealed East’s fate, as the Bearcats finished the game running the ball and milking the clock to triple zeroes. Kearney would earn the Week 1 victory 41-28 at Foster Field.
The Bearcats (1-0) head to Fremont next Friday. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 7 PM with KGFW’s live pregame starting at 6:30 PM.
Lincoln East (0-1) faces Lincoln Southeast next week.
A full photo gallery from this contest can be found on the Central Nebraska Today.com sports page.
KGFW UNOFFICIAL GAME STATS:
KEARNEY:
Rushing: 34 carries, 282 yards, 3 TD, 2 Fumbles
Molina – 9 carries, 115 yards, 2 TD
Randolph – 12 carries, 87 yards
Novacek – 8 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
Passing:
Novacek – 11/14, 185 yards, 3 TD
Receiving:
Reuling – 4 rec., 94 yards, 1 TD
Skala – 4 rec., 37 yards
Randolph – 1 rec. 22 yards
Larson – 1 rec., 21 yards
Lee – 2 rec., 11 yards
