Terry Douglass, Central Nebraska Today
GRAND ISLAND – Another chapter in the storied Grand Island/Kearney ended with a storybook ending, as the Bearcats edged out the Islanders 10-7 Friday night at Grand Island’s Memorial Stadium. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats (6-0) earned a crucial win to continue to push ahead in the Class A Powerpoints, as Grand Island (4-2) fell for the first time at home in 2023.
Kearney entered the contest undefeated aiming to continue to prove their worth among the elite of Class A. Grand Island had only suffered a loss on the road to the No. 1 team in the state, Omaha Westside, and had proved to be comeback kids having earned two wins by one score or less in their first five games.
The rubber was ready to meet the road at Grand Island’s revamped Memorial Stadium – a location Kearney had not visited since 2018 where the Islanders drubbed the Bearcats 46-0 prior to the expanded renovations.
As Kearney won the opening coin toss and would defer to the second half, the Bearcat defense would be tested early. The Islanders, led by quarterback Bode Albers, moved efficiently down the field on their opening drive. Starting at their own twenty, Grand Island marched in thirteen plays for the first score of the game. Albers led the way with critical conversions on third down, including a fourth down punt rollout to keep the drive sustaining into Kearney territory.
The drive would end from Albers to junior Riley Holling completing a fifteen yard touchdown reception on a post route to take the 7-0 lead with 5:26 remaining in the opening quarter.
Kearney marched on the field for their first drive aiming to keep pace. Griffin Novacek, Kearney’s junior gunslinger, electrified the field with early scrambles in the pocket that would lead to two third down conversion passes to Zander Reuling. The second conversion ended in a first down into Grand Island’s half of the field. As the first quarter wrapped on an Eli Randolph first down run, Kearney remained behind the Islanders 7-0.
The Bearcats next four plays ended in disaster: a high snap resulted in a major loss, then three consecutive incompletions resulted in a turnover on downs as Kearney would give the ball back to Grand Island midway through the second.
Grand Island would only march into Kearney territory off a first down run by Nelsyn Wheeler, then proceeded to gain short runs ending in a punt.
Kearney’s luck appeared to turn on their side as Karter Lee would nab a reception off of two deflections from Islander defensive backs, converting a first down, but the Bearcats would instead have another punt resulting from dropped passes and incompletions.
Grand Island then went three-and-out after a loss of yardage due to a sack on Albers. Nearing halftime, Kearney’s Able Molina rumbled toward midfield after being brought down after an outlet pass by Novacek. The end of the play resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Islanders, but Kearney could not use the free yardage to their advantage. A punt would end the half, as the Islanders controlled the lead up 7-0.
Following halftime, Molina would fumble on the fourth play of the drive for Kearney giving Grand Island a chance to seize control. Instead, the Bearcats defense once again stood tall ending another three-and-out with a tackle for loss.
The Bearcats would finally break through on their second drive of the third quarter, getting the ball at their own twenty nine yard line off a solid return by Reuling. A long option run, carried out by Novacek and senior back Eli Randolph, resulted in a rumbling gain ripped off for 73 yards down the Kearney sideline by Randolph, set up the Bearcats inside the Islanders six yard line. A penalty then incompletion put Kearney behind the sticks, ending as junior kicker Jake Kracl would nail a 27 yard field goal to put Kearney on the board. Bearcats trailed 7-3 with 6:36 remaining in the third.
The Islanders offense once again stalled on three consecutive pass plays, going incomplete on each pass ending in a punt.
The Bearcats Reuling would use an excellent punt return, weaving in and out of Islander defenders to give Kearney their best field position at the Grand Island thirty-five yard line. Then, a back-breaker for the home team.
Molina lined up in the backfield and took a pitch from Novacek aiming to sprint to the far sideline. Instead, the senior pulled back his right arm and fired a lofting pass to Karter Lee – alone near the ten yard line. The duo connected for a 35 yard touchdown toss from the running back, and put Kearney up 10-7 in the third.
Grand Island began to drive to regain their lead, but a fumble near midfield scooped up by Lee gave the ball back to Kearney. The Bearcats went conservative, stalling and running down clock while going three-and-out.
The Islanders would begin the fourth quarter on a drive beginning with three runs – including a scramble for a first down by Albers. Memorial Stadium was ready for an epic finish, with Grand Island trailing 10-7 entering the final period.
The Islanders thirteen play drive would not end with a happy head coach, as two tackle for loss by Kearney’s defensive line followed by two incompletions would bring on another turnover on downs.
Kearney’s next drive began with consecutive holding calls, ending on a sack then a punt. The Islanders would follow with a three-and-out.
As the Bearcats aimed to close the game with less than three minutes to play, Kearney needed to run out the time and walk out for a win. Kearney would control early, earning a first down off a big run on their second play. Grand Island began to use their timeouts, burning two with two minutes and change remaining.
Elation from Kearney arose as the Bearcats Molina plowed into Grand Island’s red zone nearly closing the game down. However, Novacek would mishandle the next snap under center as the Islanders recovered. New life for the hometown team trailing 10-7.
Grand Island would open their offense going five wide on each play, connecting on first down passes to midfield in three plays. However, Albers would not find success once entering Kearney’s thirty yard line. Two dropped passes – including one at the three yard line – and a broken up incompletion ended the contest on a turnover on downs. The legendary contest ended at 10-7 in favor of Kearney.
The Bearcats host No. 1 Westside on Friday at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium next week. Grand Island heads to Elkhorn South for a matchup with the Storm.
UNOFFICIAL KGFW STATS:
KEARNEY:
PASSING: Griffin Novacek: 7/17, 73 yards, 0 TD
Able Molina: 1/1: 35 yards, 1 TD
RUSHING: Eli Randolph: 9 carries, 108 yards
Griffin Novacek: 12 carries, 7 yards
Able Molina: 4 carries, 24 yards
RECEIVING: Zander Reuling, 3 receptions, 31 yards
Karter Lee: 3 receptions, 63 yards, 1 touchdown
Able Molina: 2 receptions, 14 yards
GRAND ISLAND:
PASSING: B. Albers: 13/26, 162 passing yards, 1 touchdown
RUSHING: N. Wheeler, 18 carries, 52 yards
B. Albers: 5 carries, 28 yards
J. Hostetler: 5 carries, 9 yards
RECEIVING: R. Holling: 7 receptions, 91 yards, 1 touchdown
J. Albers: 3 receptions, 39 yards
K. Bolton: 2 receptions, 29 yards
