Kearney High looks to build off triple overtime win on senior night
Kearney High football is fresh off its most emotional win of the season, a 36-33 triple overtime classic over Millard North, and is now headed into the most emotional night of the season — senior night at Foster Field.
The Bearcats return to Kearney for their final home test of the regular season, taking on Columbus (4-3).
"It feels like it's been a long time since we've played at Foster Field, and it's senior night so a lot of things are going on that's important to us," Kearney head coach Brandon Cool said. "We've got to get these guys prepared this week, because this Columbus team is going to fight like crazy to get into the playoffs, also."
Columbus has won four of its last five games, putting up 28 points or more in every victory, before a 27-14 setback last week against Lincoln East.
The Discoverers are a run-first team with a fundamentally sound defense, averaging 168.6 rushing yards per game and forcing 11 turnovers.
Offensively, Columbus' main threat is Michael Voichoskie, a 6-foot-1 210-pound bruising runner who has 13 touchdowns on the year.
Voichoskie is also a member of the linebacking corps, the heart and soul of the Discoverer defense.
Tyler Zwingman and Jaeston Delano both average double-digit tackles per game, and Carter Renteria averages 9.4 with a forced fumble on the season.
"They're athletic, they can get sideline to sideline, and they do a great job getting in position to make tackles," Cool said. "We're going to have to definitely get offensive lineman on those guys."
Elsewhere on the offense, the offensive line and blocking scheme presents a unique challenge for the Kearney front.
"They're going to seal you with the offensive line and overload with a couple receivers," Cool said. "Then they give it to the running back and find the creases in there to get four or five yards a pop with two dynamic running backs who are great switchups from each other."
The speedback in the Discoverer offense is 5-foot-8 junior Carter Eisenmann, who averages 5.4 yards per carry.
Columbus also isn't afraid to run play action and screens when the defense starts expecting a run.
That's helped the Discoverers get off the schneid and be in position to ruin the Kearney senior night.
"It'll be an exciting night to recognize our seniors, they've set a lot of high goals and expectations this year, and they know they have to play well against Columbus to exceed those expectations," Cool said. "This sets the tone for a district championship and a high seed in the playoffs."
Photos: Kearney High and Lincoln East football
