Bearcats defeat Storm, 26-24

By Asst. Coach Nick Johnson
KCC 26 – SAC 24
The Bearcats continued the 2025 season with a matchup against the Storm of Stephen-Argyle Central on Friday, Sept. 5 in Lancaster. Both teams entered the game undefeated at 2-0, and looking to keep their winning streaks alive in the early stages of the season.
The game had big plays early, setting the tone for what was a battle for all 48 minutes. The Storm defense forced a quick punt on the first possession for the Bearcat offense, but a big play quickly swung the momentum back in KCC’s favor. Ashton Knutson came up with a big hit on the SAC punt returner and forced a fumble recovered by James Cerkowniak, setting the Bearcats up in Storm territory. KCC took the lead shortly after on a 2-yard touchdown run by Eli Muir. The SAC offense had an answer on their first drive however, taking an 8-6 lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Shay Setterholm.
The Bearcats didn’t blink, got the ball back on offense and responded with a 12-play, 65-yard drive capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by Eli Muir, his second of the day. The defense made a statement of its own, forcing a turnover on downs and giving KCC the chance to extend its lead. The offense did just that, putting together another scoring drive and extending the lead to 20-8 on a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Eli Peterson. That score remained going into the halftime break.
The Storm got the ball coming out of the half, and cut into the lead with a scoring drive of their own. Running back Kellen Johnson scored from 6 yards out trimming the KCC lead to 20-16. The Bearcat offense again had a timely response as Eli Muir scored his third touchdown of the day, this time from 5 yards out and extending the lead to 26-16. The KCC defense dug in and forced another turnover on downs by the Storm late in the third quarter, allowing the Bearcats to take a two score lead into the fourth quarter.
As good teams do, the Storm had another answer for the Bearcat momentum. The Storm defense forced a turnover on downs of their own, and then put together a 60-yard scoring drive, capped off by Kellen Johnson’s second touchdown run of the day from 2 yards out. The Bearcats got the ball back, leading only 26-24. The atmosphere got tense when the Storm quickly forced a Bearcat punt, getting the ball back with less than 5 minutes to play in the game.
However, the Bearcat defense answered the call and forced a SAC turnover to put victory back in the Bearcats’ sights. Willie Nelson knocked down a Setterholm pass, which was intercepted by Keaton Brewer, putting the Bearcats in firm control of the game late in the fourth quarter. All it took was one first down from the offense to put the game away. Moments later, KCC quarterback Eli Peterson connected with receiver Kellen Johnson for 18-yards and put the game away for Bearcats.
The 26-24 victory over the Storm moves the Bearcats to 3-0 on the season and propels them to the top of the leaderboard in the Section 8, 9-man standings. The Bearcats’ season will continue with a trip to Badger on Friday, Sept. 12 to take on the Gators of Badger/Greenbush-Middle River.

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter:
Muir 2-yard touchdown run (Peterson pass No Good)
Setterholm 1-yard touchdown run (Johnson run Good)
KCC 6 – SAC 8
2nd Quarter:
Muir 2-yard touchdown run (Peterson pass No Good)
Peterson 3-yard touchdown run (Peterson pass to Johnson Good)
KCC 20 – SAC 8
3rd Quarter:
Johnson 7-yard touchdown run (Johnson run Good)
Muir 5-yard touchdown run (Muir run No Good)
KCC 26 – SAC 16
4th Quarter:
Johnson 2-yard touchdown run (Johnson run Good)
Final
KCC 26 – SAC 24

KCC Offensive Leaders
Passing:
Eli Peterson – 11/15, 153 yds
Rushing:
Eli Muir – 18 att, 61 yds, 3 TDs
Eli Peterson – 7 att, 41 yds, 1 TD
Ashton Knutson – 11 att, 38 yds
Receiving:
James Cerkowniak – 4 rec, 82 yds
Kellen Johnson – 5 rec, 39 yds
Eli Muir – 1 rec, 32 yds

KCC Defensive Leaders
Brody Scalese – 12 tkls, 3 ast
Ashton Knutson – 9 tkls, 1 ast, 1 tfl, 2 pd
Brock Scalese – 5 tkls, 1 ast
Kellen Johnson – 4 tkls, 1 tfl
Keaton Brewer – 4 tkls, 1 tfl, 1 int
Willie Nelson – 1 ast, 1 pd

Keaton Brewer, #81, blocking for #3, Eli Muir after quarterback Eli Peterson handed the ball off to Muir. Brewer had 4 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss and 1 interception. Muir carried the ball 18 times for 61 yards including 3 touchdowns.
(Photo courtesy of Sideline Lindsey – Lindsey Gullickson)

KCC Football players and coaches had lots to cheer about on Friday, Sept. 5 as they defeated the Stephen-Argyle Storm, 26-24 on their home field in Lancaster.
(Photo courtesy of Sideline Lindsey – Lindsey Gullickson)

Kamden Gullickson-Palmer, Brody Scalese, Eli Muir

KCC Bearct #35, James Cerkowniak, carries the ball for the Bearcats during their home game in Lancaster Friday, Sept. 5. Cerkowniak had 4 receptions for 82 yards helping his Bearcat team defeat the Stephen-Argyle Storm, 26-24. (Photo courtesy of Sideline Lindsey – Lindsey Gullickson)