Miles Field was the sight of a gritty battle between Kearney Catholic and Minden, but the Whippets used their 2nd half adjustments to hand the Stars their first loss at home, 28-14.
Both schools are now 2-1, and play non-district teams next week.
Kearney Catholic, coming off their 45-7 onslaught of Hershey last week, started off with the ball, but would turn over on downs after marching down to the Minden 10. The Whippets wouldn’t get too far in their first offensive drive, as their first drive stalled out at their own 23.
Kearney Catholic wouldn’t take long on their second possession to score, with Brant Christner finding Atreyu May for a 50 touchdown pass for the touchdown at the 3:46 mark in the first quarter.
Minden would be able to convert a pivotal fourth down on the next penalty, but an unposrtsmanlike conduct penalty two plays later would essentially end the Whippets drive. The Stars next drive started at their own 5, pinned back after a holding call of their own. The drive would only make it to their own 25 before being forced to punt.
Minden would make quick work to score, with a 55 yard run from Orrin Kuehn, building up for a three yard punch in by Braxton Janda. Kearney Catholic would still lead after stuffing the 2 point conversion.
Kearney Catholic only needed 13 seconds to score again, as Isaiah Gaunt took the ensuing kickoff down the Stars sideline to swing the momentum pendulum back to the Stars.
Minden would score again to tie the game going into the locker room, with Kade Dorszynski making an acrobatic one handed catch from Jake Ryan with under 2 minutes to go.
The Whippets would get the ball to start the second half and score on a goal line push to take the lead. The Stars would respond with the only turnover of the game, fumbling to give Minden the ball at their own 35. The Whippets would only advance the ball ten yards before turning over on downs again.
The Whippets would score again to complete the contest, with a fourth down pass from Ryan to Dorszynski with just inside nine minutes in the game.
Kearney Catholic falls to 2-1 and makes the trip to Milford next week. The Eagles fell tonight at North Bend Central, 42-20, to fall to 0-3.
Minden also sits at 2-1 and is at home against Fairbury. The Jeffs are 0-3 and fell to Schuyler Central tonight, 17-6.
A full photo gallery from Rick Tucker will be available on CentralNebraskaToday.com and KGFW.com
Comments from Minden Head Coach Jebb Hatch…
Comments from Kearney Catholic Head Coach Rashawn Harvey…
MINDEN (2-1)…………………0…14…6…8….28
KEARNEY CATHOLIC (2-1)…7….7….0….0…14
3:46 Q1
Brant Christner 50yd TD pass to Ateryu May (Solomon Weins XP Good)
Kearney Catholic 7, Minden 0
6:25 Q2
Braxton Janda 3yd Rush TD (2pt conversion no good)
Kearney Catholic 7, Minden 6
6:12 Q2
Isaiah Gaunt Kickoff Return TD (Weins XP Good)
Kearney Catholic 14, Minden 6
1:36 Q2
Jake Ryan TD Pass to Kade Dorszynski (2pt rush good)
Kearney Catholic 14, Minden 14
9:23 Q3
Minden 1yd Rush TD (2pt pass no good)
Minden 20, Kearney Catholic 14
8:59 Q4
Ryan 9yd TD Pass to Dorszynski (2pt pass good)
Minden 28, Kearney Catholic 14
