KEARNEY – The rivalry between Kearney and Grand Island lived up to its lofty standards on Friday night in Kearney. Under the August heat and stadium lights at Ron and Carol Cape Stadium, Kearney edged the Islanders 38-35 with big plays at the right times to start the 2021 season 1-0. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
It was the Bearcats’ night early, as the coin toss went the way of Kearney as Head Coach Brandon Cool elected to defer the ball to the second half. Grand Island opened the contest with a few big plays – a 14 yard run and 11 yard completion – but the turnover bug bit early as a fumble gave the possession to Kearney.
First year starter Riley Miller orchestrated a 5 play, 36 yard scoring drive capped off by a 6 yard touchdown run by the quarterback to begin the lead 7-0 for Kearney. Grand Island was unable to get away from their turnovers on the following possession giving another fumble back to the Bearcats. Kearney was unable to capitalize, as both teams traded punts on back-to-back-to-back possessions.
Grand Island quickly tied the game on their fourth possession of the game from a 24 yard touchdown toss from senior Kytan Fyfe. Kearney ended the first quarter locked in to the tie, but began a methodical possession working their way down the field for a 10 play, 80 yard scoring drive as Miller connecting on a 14 yard touchdown pass.
Grand Island would again tie the contest on their own 9 play, 80 yard drive with 4:41 left in the second half.
The next 4 minutes were owned by the Bearcats. Kearney took the ball and used an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Islanders to score again on a 10 yard touchdown run from Miller.
Grand Island proceeded to make some moves down the field on their following possession, but then was shut down from an interception by Chris Dutenhoffer. The following play was a beautiful crossing pattern from the right arm of Riley, to cousin Kaden, who gathered in the 32 yard touchdown toss to take a two score lead entering the locker room at halftime.
The third quarter was start-and-stop throughout the period, as numerous breaks for cramps and other stoppages slowed the pace of the contest. The choppier start led to Grand Island chipping their way back into the contest as the Islanders found a touchdown pass after only three plays to bring the game within one score.
Kearney then threw an interception on the following drive, giving a short field to the Islanders who found the endzone again as another touchdown pass tied the contest at 28.
The Bearcats responded with an excellent 14 play drive ending with a 3 yard touchdown plunge by Dutenhoffer to take the 35-28 lead. The lead gave extra momentum to the Bearcat defense, as the following two offensive drives ended in interceptions. Kearney added a field goal with 6:17 left to play to take a 38-28 lead.
Grand Island found themselves in a fourth down and 11 yards to go with the contest seemingly out of reach – until Fyfe connected on a 59 yard touchdown pass to bring the game within striking distance at 38-35.
Kearney’s offense sputtered but took some time off the game clock, giving the Islanders a chance to close the game out with the final possession.
Those chances were struck down after only three plays, as Kaden Miller intercepted a deep strike, returning the pass well into Grand Island territory, and iced the win away for the Bearcats. The final from Ron and Carol Cope Stadium: 38-35 in favor of the Bearcats.
Kearney improves to 1-0 on the season and travels to face Omaha Burke for their first road contest of the season. Hear the contest on KGFW Friday night as pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.