The Kearney Bulldogs faced a stout Fort Osage Indians team in the second game of the 2023 season and the Bulldog defense took the opportunity to show they are the real deal.

The Indians came into Kearney with a dual running threat in Ryver Peppers and Isaac Ward. Time and time again, teams throughout the region have not been able to stop this running duo, and the Kearney faithful remember Peppers all too well.

Kearney won the coin toss and chose to defer offensive possession to the second half. This was a gamble as the known explosiveness of the Indians offense could easily give them an early lead and put the Bulldogs in a hole right out of the gate. This was not to be as the first Indians was a quick three and out and the Indians powerhouse running game went literally nowhere.

*Bulldog Offensive Coaches Alan Williams, Dakota Ah-Mu and Steve Backes were forced to make major adjustments going into the second half*

The Kearney Offense would be led by Quarterback Grant Noland. After being forced into action last week due to a Casey Rooney injury, Noland was able to take all the first string reps in practice this week and the rhythm of the offense was completely in sync. The offense marched down the field with a variety of plays which brought several Bulldog weapons into action. Coach Logan Minnick and his staff game planned a variety of runs and pass to keep the Indians defense completely out of sorts. Each play utilized a different offensive weapon, and with so many, Kearney took advantage.

In their first possession, the Bulldogs were able to spread the ball around to Cameron Emmons, Tristin Williams and Manny Linthacum. Just as the Indians thought they had made adjustments to cover those players, they let quarterback Grant Noland break free for a 30 yard touchdown run. Bulldogs took the 7-0 lead with 7:42 left in the first quarter.

The Indian offense took the field in their second possession hoping to adjust and even things up. The Bulldog defense once again stopped the running game of Peppers and Ward forcing another Indians three and out.

The Bulldogs offense picked up where they left off and the great coordination, rhythm and synchronization of the players was not the only thing in action. The Minnick coaching staff has demonstrated great talent with the ability to dissect what the opposing team is doing in real time, and then exploit it. This became evident with just 4:36 left in the first quarter. Having been repeatedly burned hurt by Noland, the defense tried to clog every gap, leaving Noland nowhere to go and with no escape. The only problem was, Cameron Emmons was allowed easily maneuver to the other side of the defensive wall. Noland was able to throw what was described as a “jump pass” over the line of humanity to Emmons, who saw only green grass for 58 yards, as he ran into the end zone for the score.

The 58 yard play had a very noteworthy ending. Everyone knows that Emmons has great speed, especially when he gets into the open field. But somehow, some way, an Indians defender was able to sprint down the field and catch Emmons from behind. This allowed Emmons to show his second talent in that not only does he have speed, he has strength. As the Indians defender caught and crawled on the back of Emmons at the 8 yard line, Emmons brushed the defender off his back with apparent ease as if to say, “Get off me!”

The Bulldogs went into the locker room with a 14-0 lead. The lead was solid, but it also kept a defensive streak in tact as the Bulldog defense has yet to allow a point against them in the first half of a game in 2023.

With all things clicking, the Bulldogs would get the ball first to begin the second half. The momentum swung rapidly however the Bulldogs fumbled deep in Indian territory. Fort Osage did not squander this gift and scored quickly on a 5 yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Anthony Thompson. The Indians were on the board early in the 3rd quarter now only trailing by one possession, 14-7.

The Bulldogs second half of play saw another change. At the end of the first half in the Bulldogs final possession, sophomore quarterback Brad Doll entered the game for Grant Noland. As the Bulldogs were deep in their own territory looking at 85 yards to go in under a minute, many thought that Doll was brought in to give Grant a breather, or, maybe this was another Minnick offensive gem. It was not to be the case.

Doll would play not only the last possession of the first half, but he would play the remainder of the game at quarterback as Grant Noland would not return.

The Bulldog offense continued to move the ball around, although it was clear the rhythm was not the same. That did not stop the Bulldogs however, as with 1:22 left in the third quarter, Manny Linthacum would find an opening and explode for a 47 yard touchdown run giving the Bulldogs a 21-7 advantage.

With a full quarter left to play facing an explosive Indians offensive running attack, the pressure was on the Bulldog defense, and they did not disappoint. The running game of the Indians was rendered completely ineffective. They tried to run through the middle, side to side, back and forth. Nothing worked and several running plays resulted in a loss. Completely out of character for this Indian offense which was only able to amass a total of 48 rushing yards against the Bulldog defense. The Fort Osage rushing leader was Ryver Peppers, who was only able to average 2 yards per carry with 16 carries for 32 yards.

The Bulldog defense was able to hold Fort Osage scoreless until 4:03 left in the game. Indians quarterback Kyle Wilson connected on a perfectly thrown 4 yard touch pass into the back of the end zone connecting with Nicholas Penamon, which cut the Bulldog lead to 21-14.

The 7 point spread was as close as the Indians could ever get to the Bulldogs as time ran out and the Bulldogs captured the 21-14 win. The Bulldog victory moved them to 1-1 on the season and the Indians fell to 0-2.

The Bulldogs (1-1) will travel to Smithville next week to take on the 1-1 Smithville Warriors who are coming off a 43-36 loss to Platte County.

KPGZ Sports - Jim Dickerson contributed to this story