The Highway 92 Showdown went to the #17 Kearney Bulldogs as they defeated #23 Platte County 36-0 in at Platte County Stadium. Both teams came into the night with identical 5-1 records but Kearney's strong defensive play and tenacious rushing attack paved the way to victory.
RB #21 Marcus Harris carried the load for the Bulldogs in the first half, scoring twice and racking up 67 yards on 11 carries. The Kearney running back also had a 36-yard reception to set up a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Platte County did not score in the first half as QB Lloyd Lockett went 2/7 for 6 yards and the Kearney defense held RB Mike McNair in check, only allowing him to gain 21 yards on 9 carries. The Pirates only gained 2 first downs in the entire first half of play.
Bulldog Kicker Dawson Geopferich was impressive in the first half, converting 3 PAT and 2 FG. His second FG was from 52 yards to give his team a 27-0 halftime lead.
"Lights out! Lights out." said Kearney Coach Greg Jones when asked about the performance of his defensive unit. "Special teams performed very, very well. [Kicker Dawson Geopferich] hit a 57-[yard field goal] yesterday in practice. So when he was jogging out to kick that I said 'hey Dawson no big deal you hit a 57 yesterday in practice' and he goes 'I got this coach.'"
Kearney's second possession of the second half took 8 minutes as they went 72 yards but they were stopped short of the goal line by the Platte County defensive unit.
Senior DB Matthew Rule tackled the Platte County QB in the endzone for a safety at the start of the 4th quarter to give Kearney the 29-0 lead.
Marcus Harris was the player of the game for Kearney as he tallied 160 yards rushing on 22 carries and 3 touchdowns. Quarterback Logan Hinck ran for 130 yards on 18 carries and 1 TD and completed 11/14 passes for 212 yards.
Kearney sealed the game with 1:44 left as CB Cole Myers intercepted a pass from Pirate QB Lockett at the 19 yard line.
"We were trying to hit them in the mouth for four quarters and that's just what we did." said Marcus Harris. "All credit to the O-line because they had an amazing game."
Kearney moves to 6-1 on the season as they prepare for a home game against Belton next week. Platte County will look to regroup as they fall to 5-2 and face Grandview on the road.
