Bearcat football team defeats the C-G Bears on the road in Clearbrook

By Nick Johnson, assistant coach
KCC 21 – C-G 8
The Kittson County Central Bearcats continued their 2025 football season with a matchup against the Clearbrook-Gonvick Bears on Friday, Sept. 26. The Bearcats made the trip to Clearbrook while sitting atop the standings in Section 8, 9-man and looked to continue their undefeated season.
However, they faced a tough challenge against a 3-1 Bears team who is the top ranked team in Section 6, 9-man.
The Bearcats defense opened the game with a big play, taking momentum early after making the long road trip. Just one minute into the game, Ashton Knutson intercepted a pass from Bears’ quarterback Carver Kroulik and returned it 45 yards for the touchdown, giving the Bearcats the early 7-0 lead. Both defenses began to control the game. The KCC defense forced a turnover on downs, and then the Bears defense answered with one of their own. Clearbrook-Gonvick got their offense going, putting together a scoring drive capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Dakota Erickson, taking the lead back for the Bears 8-7.
The game entered a stalemate period. Both defenses continued to control the offenses, and penalties cost both teams huge amounts of yards and momentum. Shortly before halftime, the Bears seemingly took all the momentum. KCC turned it over via an interception, putting defenses back against the wall leading up to halftime. However, the Bearcat defense made a stand. The Bears’ offense had the ball inside the 5 yard line, but failed to score, leading to an 8-7 halftime score.
To open the second half the defenses again dictated the game, each forcing punts. However, the offenses were both their own worst enemies, each racking up significant penalty yardage and negating big plays. The Bearcats offense finally found their rhythm in the game, first by converting a huge 4th and goal on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Eli Peterson to James Cerkowniak, giving the Bearcats the 14-8 advantage early in the fourth quarter.
The Bearcats added to their lead a couple minutes later with Peterson tossing his second touchdown pass of the day. He connected with Kellen Johnson on a 24-yard score, extending the KCC lead 21-8. The Bears offense had to start throwing the ball and playing fast to overcome the deficit. The defense sealed the win for the Bearcats, with Brody Scalese intercepting a Kroulik pass and allowing the offense to kneel out the clock.
With the 21-8 victory over the Bears, the Bearcats move to 6-0 on the season. They remain atop the standings in Section 8, with just two regular season games left to play. KCC will continue their season with a homecoming matchup against the Northern Freeze in Hallock on Friday, Oct. 3.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Knutson 45 yard interception return touchdown (Brewer kick Good)
KCC 7 – CG 0
2nd Quarter
Erickson 1 yard touchdown run (Gouge run Good)
KCC 7 – CG 8
3rd Quarter
KCC 7 – CG 8
4th Quarter
Peterson 3 yard touchdown pass to Cerkowniak (Brewer kick Good)
Peterson 24 yard touchdown pass to Johnson (Brewer kick Good)
Final
KCC 21 – CG 8

KCC Offensive Leaders
Passing:
Eli Peterson – 8/12, 100 yds, 2 td, 1 int
Rushing:
Ashton Knutson – 10 att, 42 yds
Eli Muir – 12 att, 82 yds
Receiving:
James Cerkowniak – 3 rec, 29 yds, 1 td
Kellen Johnson – 2 rec, 38 yds , 1 td
Brody Scalese – 1 rec, 13 yds
Eli Muir – 1 rec, 12 yds
Ashton Knutson 1 rec, 8 yds

KCC Defensive Leaders
Brody Scalese – 4 tkls, 8 ast, 0.5 tfl, 1 pd, 1 int
Kellen Johnson – 8 tkls, 6 ast, 2.5 tfl, 1 sack
Track Folland – 3 tkls, 6 ast
Brock Scalese – 4 tkls, 4 ast, 1 int
James Cerkowniak – 1 tkl, 2 ast
Sam Webster – 1 tkl, 3 ast, 1 tfl
Willie Nelson – 1 tkl, 2 ast, 1 tfl
Ashton Knutson – 1 tkl, 9 ast, 1 pd, 1 int
Keaton Brewer – 1 tkl, 4 ast, 1 tfl, 1 sack
Eli Muir – 1 tkl, 1 ast, 1 pd

Kellen Johnson tackles a C-G player during the Bearcats’ 21-8 win over the Bears on Friday, Sept. 26. (Photos couresy of Sideline Lindsey)

ELI PETERSON, #7, ELI MUIR, #3 and WILLIE NELSON, #8, line up for a play during the Bearcats’ game in Clearbrook. (Photos couresy of Sideline Lindsey)