Photo Credit: Todd Nugent/PC Preps Extra 
The Highway 92 Showdown lived up to it’s name, as Kearney needed overtime to get a hard fought 21-14, victory over Platte County. Zach Grace had two rushing touchdowns in the win.
The first half had only one score, Platte County’s quarterback Dylan Zimmerman connected with Carter Salzman for a 66-yard touchdown pass. Aaron Cordova converted the point after. The Pirates could not add to their lead despite crossing midfield five times, in the half. The Pirates intercepted a pass late in the half and returned the pick to the Bulldog 1-yard line. A false start moved the ball back to the 6-yard line. Zimmerman, on a keeper got the back to the 1-yard line, but the Bulldogs defense would not give up the last yard, as the Pirates tried to punch it three more times.
After the game Bulldog head coach, Logan Minnick, talked about his teams defensive stand. “We knew that Platte County wanted to spread us out, but I told the team, when they get down there, we have to be physical. It’s going to be a fist fight in phone booth.”
In the second half the game opened up. Midway through the 3rd quarter, the Bulldogs tied the game when Casey Rooney hooked up with Manny Linthacum for a 51-yard scoring play. Grant Jacobson nailed the point after.
The Pirates retook the lead when Dayton Doll fought his way into the end zone from 3 yards out. Cordova split the uprights, and the Pirates led by 7 points.
The Bulldogs tied the score when Zach Grace took a direct snap and filled the jumbo package that was lined up in front of him. Grace explained, the package was called “Ham”. Three defensive players in front of him, behind the offensive line. Grace himself, is 6’ 3, 235 pounds, so it was a power formation. Jacobson’s kick got the game back to even.
Jacobson, had a chance to end the game in regulation. The Bulldogs attempted a free-kick with :04 seconds left on the clock the 50 yard attempt was no good and the game moved to overtime.
The Bulldogs started the extra period with the ball, and after getting the first down, Grace, and the “Ham package” did the rest with Grace scoring from 5 yards out.
The Bulldogs sealed the victory after Zimmerman’s pass was picked off by Landon Goepferich, in the end zone.
The Bulldogs are back on the road next week, at Fort Osage. Platte County will travel to Smithville.
