KCC football team beats G/G to finish 2nd seed in Section 8

By Mark Bernstrom
Assistant coach
On Tuesday, Oct. 19 the Bearcats finished the regular season at home against Grygla/Goodridge. Like the last few weeks, this game had big implications for end of the year seeding. Both teams were playing for second place, and would host both rounds of playoffs at their site. The losing team would end up as a fourth seed.
The first quarter started with G/G controlling the ball and working their way down the field for a score. With a successful 2-point conversion they took an 8-0 lead. KCC couldn’t get much going in the first quarter that was mostly dominated by G/G.
In the second quarter, the Bearcats were able to find some footing and got themselves into the game with a 50-yard touchdown run from Chisum Schmiedeberg. After a successful 2-point conversion, the game was tied late in the second quarter. G/G was able to put together a 2-minute offense and score to take back the lead 14-8 with under a minute left until halftime.
With under 20 seconds to go, the Bearcats were able to execute a couple of running plays, with the last one being a 45-yard touchdown run by Ozzie Meyer-Rice to finish out the first half. A failed extra point attempt left the teams tied after a wild 2 minutes to finish the half 14-14.
The Bearcats came out in the third quarter with a lot of energy after the big score to tie the game. They were able to control the clock and move the ball, and had a few different defensive stands to keep G/G out of the end zone. Late in the third, KCC took the lead with a 2-yard run by Meyer-Rice to take a 20-14 lead going into the fourth quarter.
This game was not done with the dramatics yet. Half way through the fourth quarter, G/G was able to put together a drive and tie the game with a passing touchdown. Then they took a 22-20 lead with a successful 2-point conversion. On the next drive, the Bearcats pushed but found themselves behind the sticks with a couple of penalties. A couple of successful runs and a penalty by G/G gave new life to KCC. Things stalled on the next couple of plays and the Bearcats were looking at a 4th and 10 with second seed on the line.
Schmiedeberg took the ball and broke a handful of tackles to run 33 yards for a game-leading touchdown. A successful 2-point conversion run by Meyer-Rice gave the Bearcats a 6-point lead with under a minute to play.
G/G got the ball and some attempts at a deep ball failed with an interception by Frank Finney to close out the game. Bearcats won 28-22 and claimed second seed going into playoffs. KCC will take on the Stephen-Argyle Storm first round of playoffs in Hallock.
Offensive Leaders
Rushing
Chisum Schmiedeberg: 14 Att, 138 yards, 2 TD
Ozzie Meyer-Rice: 13 Att, 92 yards, 1 TD
Evan Austad: 4 yards, 1 TD
Defensive Leaders
Meyer-Rice: 13 tackles
Isaac Folland: 8.5 tackles
Kaden Vig: 7 tackles