Kearney Catholic exploded early in the fourth quarter of their first round playoff victory over Battle Creek Friday, defeating the Braves 31-15. The Stars improve to 8-2 on the season, and hit the road to take on Norfolk Catholic next week.
The Stars started off the scoring with a 9 yard touchdown run from Pete Homan to start the contest. Three minutes later, Battle Creek responded with a 9 yard touchdown run of their own from Aden Pochop.
After both offenses were able to quickly score, the defenses started to pick up the pace, with the stars second drive ending in a punt, and Battle Creek’s drive ending with a turnover on downs. Homan and the Stars took advantage of the short field, taking a 3 yard touchdown to the house. Neither team could score in the rest of the first half.
Both teams were forced to punt to start the second half, but Battle Creek would muff the punt, which would be recovered by the Stars. Solomon Weins would convert the short field into points with a 23 yard field goal. Battle Creek would drive all the way down to the Kearney Catholic 20, until the Stars would force a fumble at their own 20. Isaiah Gaunt would run it back 80 yards for the defensive touchdown.
The Stars would only need one play on their next offensive drive to score, with Jake Bosshammer tossing to Jacob Lowe on a bubble screen pass, which Lowe would take 50 yards for the touchdown. Battle Creek would score in the final minutes, on a Jaxon Mettler quarterback keep.
The Stars now face Norfolk Catholic next week, after Norfolk Catholic defeated Aquinas Catholic (David City) 42-12 tonight.
Kearney Catholic Head Coach Rashawn Harvey postgame…
KEARNEY CATHOLIC (8-2)…7…7…3…14…31
Battle Creek (8-2)………………..7…0…0…8…15
7:35 Q1
Pete Homan 9 yard TD Rush (Solomon Weins XP Good)
Kearney Catholic 7, Battle Creek 0
4:20 Q1
Aden Pochop 9 yard TD Rush (XP Good)
Kearney Catholic 7, Battle Creek 7
10:54 Q2
Pete Homan 3 yard TD Rush (Weins XP Good)
Kearney Catholic 14, Battle Creek 7
4:41 Q3
Solomon Weins 23yd Field Goal
Kearney Catholic 17, Battle Creek 7
11:35 Q4
Isaiah Gaunt 80 yard fumble recovery touchdown (Weins XP Good)
Kearney Catholic 24, Battle Creek 7
8:31 Q4
Jacob Lowe 50 yard TD Pass from Jake Bosshammer (Weins XP Good)
Kearney Catholic 31, Battle Creek 7
1:15 Q4
Jaxon Mettler 4yd TD Rush (2-pt rush Good)
Kearney Catholic 31, Battle Creek 15
