KCC football team undefeated with win over WAO Ponies

By Nick Johnson, assistant coach
The KCC Bearcats wrapped up their regular season with a matchup against the Ponies of Warren-Alvarado-Oslo. The Bearcats came into the contest an unbeaten 7-0 and looked to complete the undefeated season. The Ponies came into the game 2-4 and looked to get their season back on track against the Bearcats.
To open the game, the Ponies took all the momentum. They received the opening kickoff, and slowly marched their way down the field converting two fourth downs on a 19-play scoring drive. The drive that took nearly a whole quarter of the game, ended when quarterback Sidney Carlson scored on a 2-yard touchdown run and gave the Ponies a 6-0 lead.
The Bearcats responded on their first possession, and took their first lead of the game. A 6-play scoring drive was capped off by a 25-yard touchdown run by Ashton Knutson, giving KCC a 7-6 lead. The Bearcat defense made a big play to swing all the momentum in their favor. Eli Muir stripped the ball from WAO running back Owen Dvorak, and set up the Bearcat offense with a quick second possession. Muir then paid off the impactful defensive play with a big play on offense.
Quarterback Eli Peterson connected with Muir on a screen pass for a 31-yard touchdown, stretching the Bearcat lead to 14-6. KCC got one more score before the half, a 1-yard touchdown pass from Eli Peterson to Brody Scalese giving the Bearcats the 20-6 halftime lead.
The momentum stayed with the Bearcats for the rest of the game. The offense struck again quickly in the third quarter. Peterson found Scalese on a touchdown pass, this time from 36 yards out, extending the lead to 26-6.
The Ponies had no answer for the Bearcats’ offense, and the Pony offense struggled to sustain drives in the second half.
KCC added to the lead again in the fourth quarter. First, Ashton Knutson scored his second touchdown of the day on the ground, scrambling in from 25 yards out making the score 32-6. Lastly, some of the Bearcat reserves got a chance to add to the score. Sophomore running back Karsynn Peterson got his first career varsity touchdown on a 23-yard run, bringing the score to 39-6.
With the victory over the Ponies, the Bearcats complete their undefeated regular season moving to 8-0. The last week of the regular season will be a bye week for the Bearcats. Section 8, 9-man playoffs will begin Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
Carlson 1-yard touchdown run (Dvorak run No Good)
KCC 0 – WAO 6
2nd Quarter:
Knutson 24-yard touchdown run (Brewer kick Good)
Peterson 31-yard touchdown pass to Muir (Brewer kick Good)
Peterson 1-yard tou chdown pass to Brody Scalese (Brewer kick No Good)
KCC 20 – WAO 6
3rd Quarter:
Peterson 36-yard touchdown pass to Brody Scalese (Brewer kick No Good)
KCC 26 – WAO 6
4th Quarter:
Knutson 25-yard touchdown run (Brewer kick Good)
Karsynn Peterson 23-yard touchdown run (Brewer kick No Good)
Final:
KCC 39 – WAO 6

KCC Offensive Leaders:
Passing:
Eli Peterson – 7/8, 105 yds, 3 tds
Rushing:
Ashton Knutson – 11 att, 178 yds, 2 tds
Eli Muir – 10 att, 23 yds
Karsynn Peterson – 2 att, 55 yds, 1 td
Receiving:
Brody Scalese – 37 yds, 2 tds
Eli Muir – 1 rec, 31 yds, 1 td
Kellen Johnson – 2 rec, 28 yds

KCC Defensive Leaders:
Brody Scalese – 10 tkls, 2 ast, 0.5 tfl
James Cerkowniak – 5 tkls, 3 ast
Brock Scalese – 5 tkls
Track Folland – 4 tkls, 1 ast
Kamden Gullickson – 3 tkls, 2 ast
Andrew Anderson – 3 tkls, 2 ast
Kellen Johnson – 2 tkls, 2 ast
Tucker Anderson – 4 tkls, 1 tfl
Eli Muir – 2 tkls, 1 ast, 0.5 tfl, 1 ff, 1 fmr
Willie Nelson – 2 tkls, 1 ast, 0.5 tfl

KCC Bearcat football players and coaches celebrate their undefeated regular season after their win over the WAO Ponies. The Bearcats finish the regular season with a bye week and playoffs start Tuesday, Oct. 21. (Photo courtesy of Sideline Lindsey)

Keaton Brewer, KCC’s #81, stops a WAO player during the Bearcats’ 39-6 win against the Ponies.
(Photo courtesy of Sideline Lindsey)

Ashton Knutson, #5 and Willie Nelson, #85, walk off the field during the win over the Ponies.
(Photo courtesy of
Sideline Lindsey)

KCC’s Aiden Campbell, #18, makes a tackle during the Bearcats’ 39-6 win over the Ponies on Thursday, Oct. 9.
(Photo courtesy of Sideline Lindsey)