Senior Night under the lights on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Bulldog Stadium delivered everything we love about Kearney High School Football: community, grit, and a statement win. 

Thank you to the families, teachers, coaches, and mentors who’ve helped this senior class grow into outstanding young men: Mason Beaver, Isaac Beaver, Connor Reid, Corbin Emmons, Canon Cholak, Konnar Dampier, Damien Carter, Graham Parker, Drew Nelson, Hudson Best, Brad Doll, Holden Phipps, Dax Mathews, Kendahl Davis, Clayton Cowan, Travis Jarrett, Nyk Belabre, Thaine Blumer, Jackson Leigh-Kent, and Kalan Bomar. We were also proud to recognize our Senior Marching Band, Cheer and Golden Girls. Their work makes Bulldog Stadium one of the best prep football venues in the metro.

The Bulldogs seized control from the opening snap and never punted, their third straight game doing so. Twelve different players combined for 283 rushing yards, with touchdowns from Kendahl Davis (2), Dryden Hendrix, Carter Temple, Isaac Beaver, Brad Doll and Jackson Leigh-Kent. Temple added a shovel TD pass to Corbin Emmons that went 51 yards; Hudson Best led a balanced air attack with 3 receptions for 63 yards. Up front, the offensive line—Nyk Belabre, JD Romero, Travis Jarrett, Cohen Dray, Kalan Bomar, Brayden Carrell, Karter Pogue, Alex Davis, Tucker Boatman, Chace Fishback, Grady Ham, Jayce Jackson and Michael DiGirolamo—turned in a clinic: positive yardage on every run and zero sacks allowed.

Special teams and defense tilted the field all night. Aidan Arellano blocked a punt, Kale Tucking housed a punt return, Braxton Byrom snagged two interceptions, and Drew Nelson booted multiple touchbacks and went 7-for-7 on PATs. Konnar Dampier added a two-point conversion to round it out.

Final: Kearney 63, Excelsior Springs 6. The Bulldogs close the regular season as Conference Champions and the #1 District seed. We’ll have a bye next week and then host the lowest remaining seed the following week. We can’t wait to see our community back in the stands.

PHOTO ALBUM - KHS Football vs. Excelsior Springs