KEARNEY – Kearney dominated Ron and Carol Cope Stadium from start to finish over Fremont, as the Bearcats routed the Tigers 49-21 Friday night in the Bearcats’ home opener. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats entered the Friday night tilt at 1-0 on the season having edged past Lincoln East in Week 1 at Seacrest Field. Kearney had played a choppy, gritty contest predicated on conservative play and a defensive mindset. Entering Week 2, Kearney looked to open up their scoring and utilize some of their best athletes to showcase their talent.
Fremont began the evening 0-2 after falling to Columbus in the final minute in a Week Zero tilt, while falling in the second half to Papillion-LaVista South in Week 1 35-20. The Tigers brought to Foster Field a stellar dual-threat quarterback in senior Hudson Cunnings who averaged over 300 yards of total offense himself, and was looking to continue his dangerous play against Kearney.
The Bearcats won the toss and elected to defer to the second half, sending out the defense to open the contest. Fremont began the game at their own 19 yard line and after only 5 plays was forced to punt after a holding penalty marched the Tigers backwards in their opening possession. Kearney’s offense would have to wait however, as Zander Reuling scampered off the punt for 61 yards in an electrifying score that turned up the crowd at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium. Kearney led with 8:55 remaining in the first quarter 7-0.
Fremont would begin a methodical drive down the field starting at their own 27 yard line. After several small chunk plays run by Cunnings off of designed quarterback runs, Fremont faced a fourth down from the Kearney 26 yard line. The Fremont quarterback would scan the field, fire late, and would nearly be intercepted by Reuling but instead would result in a turnover on downs giving the ball back to Kearney.
The Bearcats first offensive possession showcased how balanced their skillset is, as a big run by Eli Randolph was followed by a huge gain via the arm of Treyven Beckman connecting with Reuling. After another first down completion, the first quarter would end with the Bearcats leading 7-0.
KGFW Sports / Treyven Beckman looks to throw // Bearcat Football v. Fremont, Central NE Press Pass
At the start of the second, Kearney would begin their march again, ending the 8 play, 74 yard touchdown drive with a one yard plunge by sophomore Sawyer Schilke. Kearney would convert the PAT leading 14-0 with 11:05 remaining in the second.
Fremont’s next drive killed any momentum garnered by the Tigers as in six plays Fremont would gain two first downs but would fumble in Kearney territory, giving the ball back to Kearney. The Bearcats made quick work of the turnover, and in three plays would set-up a 45 yard touchdown toss from Beckman to Justin Murray for a 21-0 Kearney advantage.
Fremont finally got on the board with an eight play, 81 yard touchdown drive finished of buy Cunnings converting a two yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 14 with 3:45 remaining in the second quarter.
The Bearcats’ special teams struck gold again, however as junior Karter Lee raced from one end of Foster Field to the south endzone, crossing over to score another sensational special team’s score as Kearney would continue their arms race leading 28-7.
KGFW Sports / Karter Lee Scores on a kick return // Bearcat Football v. Fremont, Central NE Press Pass
Fremont’s attempt at a comeback were still alive as Cunnings led a methodical 9 play drive ending with a touchdown reception by Brayden Reeder along the backline of the endzone, as the Tigers now trailed 28-14 before entering halftime.
With only 35 seconds remaining in the half, a short kick by Fremont gave Kearney enough confidence to look for a big play through the air again. Armed with all three timeouts, the Bearcats’ Treyven Beckman lofted a high-arching pass for Jack Dahlgren who caught the toss in midstride, galloping down the sideline for a huge gain into the Fremont redzone. Two plays later, Reuling again excelled over the middle as the junior receiver caught a 20 yard touchdown toss from Beckman to extend the Bearcat lead 35-14 with twelve seconds remaining in the half.
KGFW Sports / Reuling celebrates a score // Bearcat Football v. Fremont, Central NE Press Pass
As Kearney received the opening kick of the second half, the Bearcats plans were simple: score and drain the second half clock. Both goals were successful in their attempts as Kearney maneuvered an eleven play, 66 yard scoring drive that balanced the pass and run including two third and long conversions. A fourth and goal plunge from Evan Slaymaker from three yards out pushed the lead to 42-14 as Kearney had the rout on with 6:23 remaining in the third quarter.
KGFW Sports / Bearcat Football v. Fremont
The first drive of the second half for Fremont moved with big plays into the Kearney 30 yard line, but a late pass from Cunnings to the Kearney sideline had enough airtime for senior safety Ben Cumpston to intercept and scamper down Foster Field for a 71 yard interception return for a touchdown. Bearcats had the rout and the running clock with a 49-14 lead and 3:23 remaining in the third quarter.
Fremont would score on their next drive against some of Kearney’s reserve defense, but worked for their ten play, 80 yard drive that ate up the rest of the third quarter and some of the fourth quarter. A score by Cunnings brought the game to 49-21 with 9:04 remaining.
Kearney’s reserve offense saw some more sparks with Abel Molina running tough for big yards, as well as Mathieu Dompko receiving a few carries, as junior quarterback Lincoln Phillips fell on the ball at the end of the contest to close out a dominant Kearney victory 49-21 to open Ron and Carol Cope Stadium.
Kearney totaled 229 yards of total offense, not including the added 227 return yardage from punt, kick, and interception scores. The Bearcats finished with 125 rushing yards on 29 carries, led by Molina with 54 yards, Ethan Kowalek with 40 yards, Randolph ending with 28 yards, Dompko with 11 yards, Slaymaker with three yards and a score, and Schilke with a single yard and score. Kearney’s Beckman ended 9 of 11 for 224 yards and two touchdowns, as his leading receiver was Jack Dahlgren with three receptions for 112 yards. Zander Reuling had two catches for 27 yards and 2 scores, while Murray finished with one catch for 45 yards and a touchdown. Karter Lee also had three catches for thirty yards.
The Bearcats improve to 2-0 on the season and take on Lincoln North Star in a short week after Labor Day weekend as Kearney will have to travel to Seacrest Field on Thursday night. Hear the contest on KGFW with Austin Jacobsen and Ford Clark on the call.