Bearcats defeat Chargers in tight homecoming game

By Nick Johnson, assistant coach
KCC 13 — GGG 12
The Kittson County Central Bearcats took on the Goodridge/Grygla/ Gatzke Chargers in a homecoming game matchup on Friday, Oct. 4 in Lancaster. The Bearcats came into the game having lost three games in a row to tough opponents.
The Chargers, on the other hand, came into the game undefeated and ranked as a top 10 team in 9-man football. Offense, defense and special teams all played an important role in this Top of the State Conference matchup.
The Chargers got the ball first, running just 3 plays before the Bearcat defense forced a punt. The Bearcats found some success on their first offensive possession, with Eli Muir breaking a long run bringing the Bearcats into the redzone. The Bearcats drive eventually stalled out, turning the ball over on downs. This characterized much of the first half for both teams, successful drives that ended without points.
The Bearcats made an effort throughout the half to get their athletes into space against the size of the Chargers, though that proved to be a difficult task. The Chargers seemed determined to exert their will physically on the Bearcats, but found the Bearcats matching their physicality. This stalemate continued all the way to halftime, with the score tied at zero.
The Bearcats got the ball to open the second half, but found little success and were forced to punt. The windy conditions made this a challenge, and the Chargers were set up with excellent field position. Starting their drive from the KCC 8-yard line, the Chargers scored quickly on a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Landon Norby. The pass on the 2-point conversion was incomplete, and the Chargers led 6-0. The Bearcats got their offense rolling as well, putting together a 10-play, 60-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Eli Muir. The extra point kick was no good, tying the game again at 6-6.
The Chargers took the lead back on their next possession, thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run by Shay Jacobson. The 2-point conversion was no good, in what turned out to be a crucial defensive stop for the Bearcats. Trailing 12-6 the Bearcats got the ball back with 9 minutes left to go in the game. After driving all the way inside the Chargers’ 10-yard line, the Bearcats again turned the ball over on downs, but pinned GGG deep in their own territory. Several plays later, the Chargers failed to convert on fourth down, giving the ball back to the Bearcats. KCC took the lead one play later, quarterback Eli Peterson finding Ty Vig for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Keaton Brewer added the extra point kick and the Bearcats took the lead for good, 13-12.
The thrilling, 1-point victory brings the Bearcats to 3-3 on the season and snaps a three-game losing streak. Additionally, the Bearcats earned the Top of the State Conference traveling trophy and the Golden Helmet rivalry trophy that the Chargers and Bearcats play for every year. KCC will look to keep their winning streak going in a matchup with the Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Ponies on Thursday, Oct. 10 at Warren.

Scoring Summary
3rd Quarter
GGG_Norby, 2-yard touchdown run (Jacobson run no good)
KCC_Muir, 1-yard touchdown run (Brewer kick no good)
4th Quarter
GGG_Jacobson, 1-yard touchdown run (Jacobson pass no good)
KCC_Peterson, 15-yard touchdown pass to Vig (Brewer kick good)

KCC Offensive Leaders
Passing_Eli Peterson – 8/14, 76 yds, 1 TD
Rushing_Ashton Knutson – 18 att, 91 yds; Eli Muir – 22 att, 72 yds, 1 TD
Receiving_Kellen Johnson – 5 rec, 42 yds; Ty Vig – 3 rec, 34 yds, 1 TD

KCC Defensive Leaders
Brody Scalese – 9.5 tackles
Ty Vig – 6 tkls, 1 tfl, 2 pd
Ashton Knutson – 2.5 tkls, 1 pd
Brock Scalese – 2 tkls, 1 pd
Eli Peterson – 2 tkls, 1 pd