Bearcat football team defeats Gators, advance to FargoDome

By Nick Johnson, assistant coach
The KCC Bearcats continued their 2025 football season with a Section 8, 9-man semifinal matchup against the Badger/ Greenbush-Middle River Gators. The Bearcats have had a long layoff since their last action. Having a scheduled bye during the last week in the regular season, combined with earning a quarterfinal bye in the playoffs, the Bearcats have not played in over two weeks. The Gators won their quarterfinal matchup against the Northern Freeze, and traveled to Hallock looking to spoil the Bearcats’ perfect season.
The Gators won the coin toss and chose to receive, hoping to jump on the Bearcats early. However, after two promising run plays, the Bearcat defense forced a takeaway. Brock Scalese forced a fumble by Gator running back Breydon Foss, setting up the Bearcat offense to strike first. A few plays later, Eli Muir found the endzone on a 41-yard touchdown run, giving KCC the early 6-0 lead.
The Bearcat defense continued its strong start, forcing a BGMR punt and getting the ball back to the offense with good field position. An eight-play, 52-yard scoring drive was capped off by a 6-yard touchdown run by quarterback Eli Peterson, pushing the Bearcat lead to 14-0.
The KCC defense did its job, forcing a turnover on downs by the Gators. However, the Gators found their footing in the game, forcing a Bearcat punt and later cutting into the lead with a 7-yard touchdown run by Breydon Foss. The Bearcats had 1 more possession in the first half, scoring with just 2 seconds remaining in the half as Eli Peterson connected with Brody Scalese for a 25-yard touchdown pass extending the lead to 22-6 at halftime.
The Bearcats got the ball to open the second half, and used that possession to fully take control of the game. Eli Muir capped off a seven-play, 60-yard scoring drive with his second rushing touchdown of the day, giving the Bearcats a 30-6 lead. The Gators answered that score with another score of their own. Quarterback Will Foss connected with receiver Adrian Nelson on a 2-yard touchdown pass, trimming the Bearcat lead to 30-12. KCC extended their lead one final time, with a 2-yard touchdown run by Ashton Knutson bringing the game to its final score of 37-12.
With the victory over the Gators, the Bearcats move to 9-0 on the season and earn a trip to the FargoDome to play for a section championship. KCC will take on the Stephen-Argyle Central Storm in Fargo on Thursday, Oct. 30 with the Section 8, 9-man championship and a trip to the state tournament on the line.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
Muir 41 yard touchdown run (Brewer kick No Good)
Peterson 6 yard touchdown run (Peterson pass to Knutson Good)
KCC 14 – BGMR 0
2nd Quarter:
Breydon Foss 7 yard touchdown run (Will Foss pass No Good)
Peterson 25 yard touchdown pass to Brody Scalese (Muir run Good)
KCC 22 – BGMR 6
3rd Quarter:
Muir 4 yard touchdown run (Knutson run Good)
Will Foss 2 yard touchdown pass to Adrian Nelson (Breydon Foss run No Good)
KCC 30 – BGMR 12
4th Quarter:
Knutson 2 yard touchdown run (Brewer kick Good)
Final:
KCC 37 – BGMR 12

KCC Offensive Leaders
Passing:
Eli Peterson – 3/6, 49 yds, 1 td
Rushing:
Eli Muir – 14 att, 105 yds, 2 tds
Ashton Knutson – 16 att, 98 yds, 1 td
Eli Peterson – 8 att, 41 yds, 1 td
Receiving:
Brody Scalese – 2 rec, 37 yds, 1 td
Kellen Johnson – 1 rec, 12 yds

KCC Defensive Leaders
Brody Scalese – 8 tkls, 4 ast, 0.5 tfl, 0.5 sack
Track Folland – 5 tkls, 6 ast
Eli Muir – 3 tkls, 2 ast, 1 pd
Ashton Knutson – 2 tkls, 3 ast, 0.5 tlf, 0.5 sack, 1 fmr
Keaton Brewer – 1 tkl, 4 ast, 0.5 tfl
Kamden Gullickson – 1 tkl, 2 ast
Willie Nelson – 3 tkls
Kellen Johnson – 1 tkl, 2 ast, 0.5 tfl
Brock Scalese – 2 tkls, 1 ff

Brock Scalese, #8 and Eli Muir force a fumble during the Bearcats’ 37-12 win over BGMR. The Bearcats advance in the playoffs and will take on Stephen-Argyle at the FargoDome, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2 p.m.
(Photo Courtesy of Sideline Lindsey)

Eli Muir runs the ball in for a TD.

KCC Quarterback Eli Peterson hands off to Ashton Knutson during the Bearcats’ playoff game with BGMR. Knutson had 16 runs for 98 yards including 1 touchdown.
(Photo Courtesy of Sideline Lindsey)

Kellen Johnson tackles a BGMR player during the Bearcats’ 37-12 win over the BGMR Gators. Johnson also had 1 pass reception for 12 yards on offense.
(Photo Courtesy of Sideline Lindsey)