Kearney finished the way that head coach Logan Minnick envisioned four years ago – with a state championship on Saturday.

The Bulldogs topped, 21-14, to win the Missouri Class 4 state football title afternoon at Missouri Western’s Spratt Memorial Field. Minnick, who took the Kearney head post before the 2022 season, saw his first full class finish its senior season with a career 49-4 mark, two state titles and a semifinal appearance as well.

“It’s an unbelievable career, but I told Kearney when I got the job we were going to do this - 49-4 and two state championships… No, that wasn’t the case at all,” joked head coach Logan Minnick. “I’m so proud of these kids and the effort they bring every day.”

Kearney (14-0) raced out to a 14-0 lead, starting with a 57-yard touchdown run by quarterback Carter Temple. Temple finished with a game-high 116 rushing yards, as well as 62 passing.

Then the Bulldogs mounted a 14-play, 66-yard drive that concluded with a Matthew Lindsey 17-yard touchdown jaunt for a 14-0 edge with 7:58 left in the half. Lindsey added 50 rushing yards on seven carries.

But that lead lasted 14 seconds, as Hannibal returned the ensuing kickoff to draw to 14-7, which was the score into halftime.

The Pirates opened the third quarter with a 13-play, 59-yard drive that ate up six minutes and knotted the game after a Tre Hoskins one-yard tote.

But Kearney countered with the game-winning drive, a 13-play, 65-yard march in 5:31, ending in a Dryden Hendrix three-yard run for a 21-14 lead with 6:24 left.

Hannibal threw an interception, but Kearney fumbled the ball back. However, the Pirates stalled on fourth down with 1:23 left to seal the title for the Bulldogs. For the game, Kearney held Hannibal to just 117 total yards.

Kearney capped its sixth state title, including the 2023 and 2025 crowns.