KCC Bearcat football team opens season with a win at home over Badger/Greenbush-Middle River

By Asst. Coach Nick Johnson
Kittson County Central football opened its season with a matchup against Badger/Greenbush-Middle River in Lancaster, defeating the Gators by a score of 41-8. The Bearcats got the scoring started with a 1-yard touchdown run by Ashton Knutson, followed by a 7-yard touchdown pass from Eli Peterson to Ty Vig on the following possession, jumping out to a 12-0 lead. Knutson found the endzone again early in the second quarter, breaking off a 40-yard touchdown run. The Bearcats extended their lead to 28-0 going into the halftime break after Peterson tossed his second touchdown of the day, connecting on a pass to Gavin Johnson just seconds before the end of the first half.
The second half brought much of the same offensively, as the Bearcats extended their lead with an Eli Peterson 1-yard touchdown run, and a 30-yard touchdown run by Brock Scalese.
Defensively, the Bearcats were equally as effective. Led by impressive performances from defensive end Ty Vig and linebacker Brody Scalese, the Bearcat defense nearly held the Gators scoreless from wire to wire. Vig lived in the Gator backfield, tallying 4 tackles-for-loss and 2 sacks. Brody Scalese boosted the Bearcats with multiple takeaways, forcing and recovering a fumble and an interception. BGMR got their lone score on a 22-yard touchdown pass with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game, bringing the game to its final score of 41-8.
The contest was an example of playing complimentary football in all phases, propelling the team to a 1-0 start to the season. The Bearcats next test will come Friday, September 6th against the Northern Freeze in Newfolden.

Scoring Summary:
KCC 12 28 35 41
BGMR 0 0 0 8
First Quarter
KCC_Knutson 1-yard run (Huff kick no good)
KCC_Peterson 7-yard pass to Vig (Knutson run no good)
Second Quarter
KCC_Knutson 40-yd run (Peterson pass to Vig good)
KCC_Peterson 15-yd pass to Johnson (Knutson run good)
Third Quarter
KCC_Peterson 1-yd run (Huff kick good)
Fourth Quarter
KCC_Brock Scalese 30-yd run (Huff kick no good)
BGMR_Foss 22-yd pass to Swenson (Olson run good)

KCC Running Back Ashton Knutson scored the first points for the Bearcats with a 1-yard touchdown run. The Bearcats played the BGMR Gators in Lancaster Thursday, Aug. 29 and defeated them with a score of 41-8.
(Enterprise Photo by Miranda Peterson)

KCC’s Elijah Muir, Sophomore running back, carries the ball for the Bearcats during their 41-8 win over the Gators, Thursday, Aug. 29.
(Enterprise Photo by Miranda Peterson)

KCC Quarterback Eli Peterson takes the hand off and spins to make a pass during the Bearcats 41-8 win over the BGMR Gators. (Enterprise Photo by Miranda Peterson)