Bulldogs Hold Ft. Osage Scoreless on the Road

The Class 4 defending state champs reloaded their 2024 roster with speed, power, and defense. In a nail-biter against one of the top-ranked teams in Missouri, the Kearney Bulldog defense locked down an explosive Ft. Osage offense for the better part of four quarters.

Bulldog Senior Tre Smith darted through the Ft. Osage defense on a 15-yard reverse in the second quarter for the opening score. Jacob Dillon’s point after gave Kearney a 7-point lead that the defense protected until the Bulldogs scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes – one of which was a pick six – shutting out Ft. Osage 21-0.

“I’m just glad we got the shutout,” said senior linebacker Theo Grace. “Last year, we were a great defense, but we couldn’t get the shutout, so that’s just awesome to see on the scoreboard.”

If indeed, great defenses win championships, the Ft. Osage Indians, and the Kearney Bulldogs have promising futures this season.

Grant Noland - Photo by Chrystan Ferrell

“That’ll be one of the best defenses we’ll play against all year and I’m sure their coach will tell you the same thing about ours,” said Kearney head coach Logan Minnick. “That’s one of the best defenses you’re going to see. They’re physical, they run well. That number-seven, Anthony Thompson is one of the best linebackers I’ve coached against in my career. He is an absolute monster. We were throwing two and three guys at him at the same time, and he was still making plays.”

The Bulldogs held tightly to a 7-point lead for nearly three straight quarters as both defenses slugged it out. Ft. Osage threatened to score in the fourth quarter after a sustained drive and a deep pass from Jonathan Ross to Nicholas Penamon. The Bulldog defense prevailed.

Just as Kearney’s offense appeared to have the game salted away on safe running plays up the middle, Grant Noland took the shotgun snap and sprinted outside and down the sideline 35 yards for what appeared to be the final touchdown of the game. Jacob Dillon’s point after gave Kearney a late 14-0 lead.

“During the time-out huddle, Coach Minnick said: ‘Grant, jab-step outside,’ Theo (Grace) got the edge sealed and it worked,” Noland said.

Aidan Arellano Captures the interception and takes it to the house to clinch the win. - Photo by CHrystan Ferrell

In their final possession, under heavy pressure, Ft. Osage quarterback Jonathan Ross threw a late interception as Kearney defensive back Aidan Arellano jumped the pass and ran untouched to the endzone for the pick-6.

“I’m Unbelievably proud of our kids, I think we were in a little bit better shape than they were as it came down the stretch, and we take a lot of pride in that,” Minnick said.

“I love starting off the season with hard games,” said Grace. “Our first four games are hard and that’ll get us ready to play against tougher teams.”

The Bulldogs host Grandview Friday, September 6. KPGZ 102.7 will broadcast the game beginning with the pregame show at 6:40. Kickoff is at 7:00.

Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Bulldog Football Kicks Off Friday

Bulldog Football begins on Friday, August 30, and Kearney begins the season travelling to Fort Osage High School.

The 2023 Class 4 State Champion Kearney Bulldogs

The 2023 Class 4 State Champion Kearney Bulldogs start defending their title Friday night with the first game against the Fort Osage Indians. Coach Minnick told KPGZ that the first game will be a well-fought match up.

“They have three receivers back and a much more athletic and throwing quarterback this year,” Minnick said about the Indians. “They’re going to be a physical football team. They’re going to spread it around.”

The game will be broadcast on 102.7FM and the KPGZ mobile app.

The game will be played at Fort Osage High School, 2101 N Twyman Rd. Independence, MO. Gates open at 5:30 and tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for K-12 students. Kids under age 5 are free. Only students from Fort Osage and Kearney will be admitted with current student ID.

The game will be broadcast on 102.7FM, KPGZ websites 1027KearneyMO.com and KearneyCountry.com, and the KPGZ mobile app. Pregame starts at 6:40 pm and play-by-play action begins at 7 pm.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

KPGZ Radio Adds Softball to Bulldog Sports Coverage

102.7FM KPGZ is excited to announce it is adding radio coverage of Kearney High School home softball games to the Bulldog Radio Network this fall. This will be the first season the radio station has covered softball games.

Bulldog radio network announcers Kelly Gentry and Eric Stevens will be calling the home softball games beginning at 5 pm on Tuesday, September 10, when the Bulldogs face Staley High School.

“We are excited to be able bring Bulldog softball to 102.7, and that our listeners are enthusiastic to have the softball games on the radio.” - Brian Watts. Photo by Ray Weikal.

“We had great success announcing Bulldog baseball games this spring,” said 102.7FM general manager Brian Watts. “We are excited to be able bring Bulldog softball to KPGZ, and that our listeners are enthusiastic to have the softball games on the radio.”

Parents and fans requested softball and baseball games to be broadcast on the radio station last year, but logistics and the time frame of getting the broadcast setup were obstacles for the station. With more time, KPGZ was able to work on the details and can now produce quality game broadcasts for fans.

Bulldog sports game broadcasts bring a vast audience to the radio station. Broadcasts of high school sports bring double or triple the listening audience to 102.7FM. The station now broadcasts football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball to a wide audience around the world on the radio, their website 1027KearneyMO.com and the KPGZ mobile app.

Sponsorship spaces are available at all levels and can be reserved now by calling Brian Watts at 816-826-1111.

Jim Dickerson contributed to this story.