WEBB CITY, Mo. | Kearney running back Ashton Hiatt remembered kneeling on the ground, heartbroken. Defensive end Joe Windsor never forgot the dejection he saw on the faces of his senior teammates. Those were the memories the Kearney Bulldogs took away from last year’s crushing home loss to the Webb City Cardinals in the state semifinals. Now flash-forward to Saturday’s long-awaited rematch, won by Kearney 38-13 before a standing-room-only crowd — a win that allowed the Bulldogs to advance to the Missouri Class 4 state championship game for the first time since 2004. When you consider that Kearney (a.) dealt Webb City, 13-1, its first home loss since 2005 and (b.) ended the defending state champions’ 28-game winning streak, was it any wonder the Bulldogs couldn’t help but get caught up afterward in the sweet taste of revenge?“We were all pumped up for this game,” said linebacker Stephen Juergens. “It wasn’t just for us, either. It was for (all our fans) that are standing out here right now and those seniors that couldn’t get it last year.”The Bulldogs, 12-2, won on Saturday because they dominated the third quarter, something that Kearney coach Greg Jones said they hadn’t done in their 14-7 loss to Webb City last season.After taking a 17-13 lead into halftime, Kearney scored on the opening drive of the third quarter when Hiatt, who rushed for 154 yards on 26 carries, scored on a 9-yard touchdown run.The Bulldogs broke the game open on their next possession, when quarterback Shane Hartzler hooked up with receiver Ryan Rische for a 40-yard touchdown pass that increased the Bulldogs’ lead over Webb City to 31-13 with five minutes left in the third quarter.Kearney’s defense took over from there. The Bulldogs repeatedly stonewalled Webb City’s offense the rest of the way, sending Kearney to the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, where it will face Helias (14-0) at 4:15 p.m. Friday in the state championship game. However, nobody was thinking about that on Saturday. Players, coaches and fans adorned in purple and gold hugged one another and celebrated on Webb City’s field.“I know people say that if all you want is revenge, you’re not going to get anything,” Windsor said. “But we wanted revenge today. And we (got it).”

Posted on Sat, Nov. 21, 2009 10:15 PM

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Kearney beats Webb City 38-13, will play for Class 4 title

By TEREZ A. PAYLOR

The Kansas City Star

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WEBB CITY, Mo. | Kearney running back Ashton Hiatt remembered kneeling on the ground, heartbroken. Defensive end Joe Windsor never forgot the dejection he saw on the faces of his senior teammates.

Those were the memories the Kearney Bulldogs took away from last year’s crushing home loss to the Webb City Cardinals in the state semifinals.

Now flash-forward to Saturday’s long-awaited rematch, won by Kearney 38-13 before a standing-room-only crowd — a win that allowed the Bulldogs to advance to the Missouri Class 4 state championship game for the first time since 2004.

When you consider that Kearney (a.) dealt Webb City, 13-1, its first home loss since 2005 and (b.) ended the defending state champions’ 28-game winning streak, was it any wonder the Bulldogs couldn’t help but get caught up afterward in the sweet taste of revenge?

“We were all pumped up for this game,” said linebacker Stephen Juergens. “It wasn’t just for us, either. It was for (all our fans) that are standing out here right now and those seniors that couldn’t get it last year.”

The Bulldogs, 12-2, won on Saturday because they dominated the third quarter, something that Kearney coach Greg Jones said they hadn’t done in their 14-7 loss to Webb City last season.

After taking a 17-13 lead into halftime, Kearney scored on the opening drive of the third quarter when Hiatt, who rushed for 154 yards on 26 carries, scored on a 9-yard touchdown run.

The Bulldogs broke the game open on their next possession, when quarterback Shane Hartzler hooked up with receiver Ryan Rische for a 40-yard touchdown pass that increased the Bulldogs’ lead over Webb City to 31-13 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

Kearney’s defense took over from there. The Bulldogs repeatedly stonewalled Webb City’s offense the rest of the way, sending Kearney to the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, where it will face Helias (14-0) at 4:15 p.m. Friday in the state championship game.

However, nobody was thinking about that on Saturday. Players, coaches and fans adorned in purple and gold hugged one another and celebrated on Webb City’s field.

“I know people say that if all you want is revenge, you’re not going to get anything,” Windsor said. “But we wanted revenge today. And we (got it).”

To reach Terez A. Paylor, call 816-234-4489 or send e-mail to tpaylor@kcstar.com

Posted on Sat, Nov. 21, 2009 10:15 PM

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