Bearcats football take first game against Titans

By Asst. Coach Nick Johnson
KCC 30 – NCE/U-H 8
The Kittson County Central Bearcats opened their 2025 football season with a trip to Ulen, Minn., to take on the Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal Titans. Returning many contributors from the 2024 team, the Bearcats look to improve on the 4-4 record from a year ago and once again compete at the top of Section 8.
The contest against the Titans quickly tilted in the Bearcats’ favor when, after forcing the Titans to punt on their first possession, sophomore Kamden Gullickson blocked the punt, which was recovered by junior James Cerkowniak in Titans territory. On their first offensive possession of the game, the Bearcats used the momentum from that blocked punt to strike quickly.
Running back Ashton Knutson broke off a 24-yard run, followed immediately by a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Eli Peterson to receiver Kellen Johnson, giving the Bearcats a 6-0 lead.
That score didn’t remain for long, however, because the Bearcat offense got the ball back shortly and struck quickly. Eli Peterson and Kellen Johnson connected for their second touchdown of the day, this time from 5 yards out, extending the lead to 12-0. The Titans settled into the game. Relying on a solid running game behind running backs Axel Kjono and Trygg Bakke, their defense also stiffened up forcing a punt and a turnover on downs on KCC’s last 2 possessions of the first half.
The Bearcats opened the second half of play with the ball, and put together a five-play scoring drive. Ashton Knutson set up the Bearcats with 2 long runs deep into Titan territory.
Then Peterson and Johnson connected on a touchdown pass for a third time on the day, building the Bearcat lead to 18-0 early in the third quarter.
Strong defensive play continued throughout the second half for the Bearcats continuing to put pressure on the Titan offense and controlling the game for KCC. The Bearcats added two more scores in the game, a 30-yard touchdown run by Ashton Knutson and a 10-yard touchdown run by Eli Muir, building the lead to a commanding 30-0.
The Titans broke the shut out late in the fourth quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run by fullback Trygg Bakke, bringing the game to a 30-8 final score.
With the win over the Titans, the Bearcats move to 1-0 on the season. Week 2 will be the Bearcats’ home opener, taking on the Tigers from Rothsay High School in Lancaster on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 3 p.m.

Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter
Peterson 10 yard touchdown pass to Johnson (Knutson kick No Good)
Eli Peterson 5 yard touchdown pass to Johnson (2 pt No Good)
2nd Quarter – No Scoring
3rd Quarter
Eli Peterson 15 yard touchdown pass to Johnson
Knutson 30 yard touchdown run (2 pt No Good)
KCC 24 – NCE/U-H 0
4th Quarter
Muir 10 yard touchdown run (2 pt No Good)
Bakke 3 yard touchdown run (2 pt Good)

KCC Offensive Leaders
Passing: Eli Peterson – 5-9, 45 yds, 3 TDs
Rushing: Ashton Knutson – 10 car, 140 yds, 1 TD; Eli Muir – 11 car, 120 yds, 1 TD
Receiving: Kellen Johnson – 5 rec, 45 yds, 3 TDs

KCC Defensive Leaders
Brody Scalese – 1 solo, 9 ast
Kamden Gullickson – 3 solo, 6 ast, 1 punt block
Keaton Brewer – 6 solo, 3 ast, 1 sack, 2 tfl
Kellen Johnson – 3 solo, 4 ast, 0.5 tfl
Track Folland – 1 solo, 6 ast, 1.5 tfl
Brock Scalese – 4 solo, 2 ast, 1 pbu

Junior Ashton Knutson carries the ball for the Bearcats in their 30-8 win over the NCE/U-H Titans. Knutson had 10 carries for 140 yards including 1 touchdown for KCC.
(Photo Courtesy of Sideline Lindsey – Lindsey Gullickson)

Kellen Johnson, KCC Bearcat Junior, goes for a catch while fighting off a NCE/U-H Titan player. The Bearcats defeated the Titans 30-8 in their first game of the season.
(Photo Courtesy of Sideline Lindsey – Lindsey Gullickson)

Defensively Tucker Anderson #34 and Track Folland, #44 stopped this Titan from gaining too much ground. The Bearcats defense kept the Titans to only 1 touchdown and 2 extra points.
(Photo Courtesy of Sideline Lindsey – Lindsey Gullickson)