Kearney Bulldogs football looking for a repeat: A preview of the 2026 season
KEARNEY, Mo. —
KEARNEY BULLDOGS
Head Coach: Logan Minnick (5th season as head coach)
Conference: Blue Suburban Conference
Class: 4
2025 Record: 5-0 in Conference (Champions), 14-0 Overall (Class 4 State Champions)
2025 Scoring: Offense 41.4 PPG Defense 11.0 PPG
2026 Returning Starters: Offense: 9 Defense: 6
Moving on to the next level from the 2025 team: Travis Jarrett, OL (Missouri Valley), Kalan Bomar, OT (Washburn), Mason Beaver, DL (North Dakota), Isaac Beaver, DL (North Dakota), Brad Doll, DB (Missouri Valley – Basketball), Drew Nelson, TE (Washburn), and Nyk Belabre, OL (Washburn).
Mission accomplished in 2025. The Bulldogs won the school’s sixth football state title. They did it with smashmouth football, grinding out game clocks and choking out the hope of their opponents with a boa constrictor-like defense. The unhappy reality for would-be Class 4 challengers is that fourteen All-Conference starters are back for this season as well.
First and foremost among them is starting quarterback and Class 4 Offensive Player of the Year, Carter Temple (6-3, 220). With Temple at the helm, the Bulldogs are 26-1. In his two years as a starter, he has amassed over 4,000 yards of total offense and 62 touchdowns. He is a dual-threat QB of the highest level, with elite speed and the ability to make big plays on the ground or in the air. His 2024 QBR was 135.6, and he is committed to playing football for Division 1 North Dakota State. However, this three-time wrestling state champion (and one-time Fargo National Champ) has more business to handle for the Bulldogs–going for another state title.
“We are all super excited, especially us seniors,” says Temple, “because we know this is our last ride and we only have fourteen games left and we’re going to give it the best fourteen games we’ve got.”
All-State players returning include shifty senior running back Matthew Lindsey (6-0, 185), senior linebacker Luke Tucking (5-10, 220), Kale Tucking (5-11, 185) a senior defensive back. All-State linebacker Aiden Arellano (5-10, 210), and running back Dryden Hendrix (5-10, 200). Also returning is Offensive lineman JD Romero (6-2, 285), First Team All-Conference and All-District. Romero is a top-notch wrestler who earned third place at state in the 285-pound class.
The Bulldogs’ returning All-Conference players include Senior Center/Guard and Long Snapper Cohen Dray (5-10, 230), who has received multiple college offers. Senior receiver Caleb Stevens (6-6, 195), who has committed to the University of Central Missouri for next season. Six-time All-State track speedster receiver/TE Samual Way (6-4, 210), defensive back Kyle Pritzel (6-0, 180), Lane Cook (6-3, 240), a defensive lineman, junior offensive lineman Carter Pogue (6-1, 260), and junior defensive back Ashton Bringus (5-10, 180).
The Bulldogs and their faithful are expecting another historic run.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.