The Indians opened the season a year ago against Friday’s opponent Kearney with an identical result — a first-game loss.

The Indians squandered two first-half chances in the red zone and eventually fell to the state-ranked Bulldogs 55-15 at Noyes Field.

“They were a completely different team a year ago. They graduated quite a bunch of kids,” Central coach Jeff Wallace said. “We had quite a few back, but it was hard to tell. We didn’t tackle very well. We didn’t execute very well on offense. We were probably a step or two behind all night on both sides of the ball.

“That is reality. That is what happened and that is where we are at.”

Kearney running back Marcus Harris slashed the Indians’ defense, scoring three times on the ground, including a long of 74 yards. Quarterback Logan Hinck threw for three more scores for Kearney, ranked No. 5 in Class 4 in the first Missouri Media poll of the season.

“We have a lot of work to do to say the least,” Wallace said. “But first of all we have to find out who is healthy and get the right people where they need to be to make plays and go from there.”

After two special team mishaps by Kearney in the first half, the Indians had two free possessions in the red zone but could muster only a 23-yard field goal from junior Austin Jackson.

For more, visit the KearneyCourier.com