arm53
11-27-2009, 07:56 PM
Kearney beats Helias for Missouri Class 4 football championship
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star
ST. LOUIS | For the first time since 2003, Kearney’s football team can call itself a state champion.
Kearney rode its smothering defense and big-play offense to a 27-15 victory over Jefferson City Helias in the Missouri Class 4 state championship game on Friday at the Edward Jones Dome.
Helias opened the scoring with a first-quarter field goal, but Kearney took a 7-3 lead with a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shane Hartzler to receiver Tyler Funk in the second quarter. Helias responded with a touchdown of its own, but failed to convert the extra point. Still, the Crusaders took a 9-7 lead into halftime.
It would not last. Hartzler connected with Funk again on the Bulldogs’ first possession of the third quarter, this time on a screen pass that went for 67 yards and set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Hartzler.
Funk wasn’t done torturing Helias yet. He intercepted a pass on Helias’ next possession, which eventually led to a 36-yard field goal by kicker Keith Ringler that gave Kearney a 17-9 lead with 1:55 left in the quarter.
Kearney added to that lead in the fourth quarter, thanks to a 4-yard touchdown run by running back Ashton Hiatt that put the Bulldogs ahead by 15. And Helias appeared to be on the ropes on its next possession when it faced a 3-and-16 at its own 14-yard line. But Helias quarterback Clint Distler stood in the face of a strong pass rush and delivered a perfect pass to Conner White, who beat his man and raced to the end zone for an 86-yard touchdown. Helias, however, missed the extra point, and still trailed 24-15.
Helias still had most of the quarter remaining to try and stage a comeback. But after 42-yard field goal by Ringler made the score 27-15 with 3:50 remaining, the Bulldogs’ defense made the lead stand, snuffing out two more Helias drives to clinch the title.
To reach Terez A. Paylor, a sports reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4489 or send e-mail to tpaylor@kcstar.com
Posted on Fri, Nov. 27, 2009 06:57 PM
This class 4 High School kicker did a 36 & 42 yard field goal under pressure.
I think he may go to MU for free.
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star
ST. LOUIS | For the first time since 2003, Kearney’s football team can call itself a state champion.
Kearney rode its smothering defense and big-play offense to a 27-15 victory over Jefferson City Helias in the Missouri Class 4 state championship game on Friday at the Edward Jones Dome.
Helias opened the scoring with a first-quarter field goal, but Kearney took a 7-3 lead with a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shane Hartzler to receiver Tyler Funk in the second quarter. Helias responded with a touchdown of its own, but failed to convert the extra point. Still, the Crusaders took a 9-7 lead into halftime.
It would not last. Hartzler connected with Funk again on the Bulldogs’ first possession of the third quarter, this time on a screen pass that went for 67 yards and set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Hartzler.
Funk wasn’t done torturing Helias yet. He intercepted a pass on Helias’ next possession, which eventually led to a 36-yard field goal by kicker Keith Ringler that gave Kearney a 17-9 lead with 1:55 left in the quarter.
Kearney added to that lead in the fourth quarter, thanks to a 4-yard touchdown run by running back Ashton Hiatt that put the Bulldogs ahead by 15. And Helias appeared to be on the ropes on its next possession when it faced a 3-and-16 at its own 14-yard line. But Helias quarterback Clint Distler stood in the face of a strong pass rush and delivered a perfect pass to Conner White, who beat his man and raced to the end zone for an 86-yard touchdown. Helias, however, missed the extra point, and still trailed 24-15.
Helias still had most of the quarter remaining to try and stage a comeback. But after 42-yard field goal by Ringler made the score 27-15 with 3:50 remaining, the Bulldogs’ defense made the lead stand, snuffing out two more Helias drives to clinch the title.
To reach Terez A. Paylor, a sports reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4489 or send e-mail to tpaylor@kcstar.com
Posted on Fri, Nov. 27, 2009 06:57 PM
This class 4 High School kicker did a 36 & 42 yard field goal under pressure.
I think he may go to MU for free.