The Kittson County Central Bearcats won an overtime thriller 30-28 on Friday in Lancaster. The ending, as thrilling as game. After scoring two plays into overtime, BGMR failed to convert on the two point conversion. Meaning, all the Bearcats needed was a touchdown and an extra point. After KCC scored on their third play, all that was left was the PAT. Kicker Keaton Brewer had the game on his foot and was 2-for-3. However, the Gators had already blocked one of his extra-points. To everyone’s surprise, neither decided the outcome. Eli Peterson, bobbled the snap, but thanks to some head’s up awareness, and the Gators’ need to block the kick, the whole right side of the field was open. Peterson collected himself and ran into the end zone to give the Bearcats the win, in what was a hard fought, compelling matchup against sub-district leaders.

Both teams moved the ball incredibly well. Early on it was mostly on the ground. Most notably, each teams first possession took up the entire first quarter. Both teams had similar results. After marching down the field, and setting up shop with a 1st and goal, the Gators took a holding penalty. Backed up to the 18 yard line, BGMR went to the air looking to make up the lost yards. However, Karsynn Peterson ended those hopes with an interception. Just like the Gators, the Bearcats drove the field. Although slightly more explosive, they found themselves in the same situation. Goal-to-go, KCC took a holding penalty. Unlike BGMR, the Bearcats compounded on it by also taking a false start penalty. However, one of the big differences in the game made his presence felt. Brewer opened the scoring with a 33 yard field goal to give KCC a 3-0 lead.

It didn’t take long into the second quarter for BGMR to find a response. Once again the Gators drove the ball down the field and this time they capitalized. Will Foss picked up his first of two rushing touchdowns on the day to put BGMR in front 6-3. As for much of the game, the opposition had a response. Elijah Muir was his most explosive in the second frame. He helped the Bearcats cap of another solid drive with a nine yard touchdown to retake the lead. Then after the Gators were forced to punt, he exploded for a 48 yard touchdown run to put the KCC up 15-6 a lead which they would take to the half.

Despite all the action in the second half, the opening drive set the stage for what was to come. The Bearcats had a chance to to take full control, but the BGMR defense made a stand, and got off the field on fourth down. Just a few plays later, Will Foss connected with Adrian Nelson for a 53-yard passing touchdown to put BGMR right back in the game, and with the successful two-point conversion, it became just a one point game. KCC didn’t take it lying down, and went right back down the field and this time it was Ashton Knutson’s turn to cap of the drive. Up by 8 and in the final quarter, the Bearcats intercepted Foss for a second time. However, the Gator defense, led by the defensive line, made a stand and forced the only KCC punt of the day. The Gators were rewarded. The punt went off the side of the foot of Kellen Johnson and gave BGMR the football at the Bearcat 35 yard line.

Despite the great field position, the Gators found themselves in a 4th and 6 situation on the 10 yard line. Outside of the game winning scramble, this was one of the most important plays of the game. Under pressure, Foss stepped up in the pocket and as he was being dragged down, threw up a short heave that fell right into the hands of Nathan Gust. Gust would also catch the two point conversion to tie the game at 22. From this point, the rest of regulation was controlled chaos. Each team had a chance to put together a game winning drive, and both fumbled. KCC got a second chance after the BGMR fumble, and in hopes of putting the game away, wound up being picked off by Nelson. Deep in their own territory and with little time left, the Gators ran out the clock.

4 downs to score from the 10 yard line was the task. It didn’t take long for BGMR to accomplish that. Foss picked up his second rushing touchdown from 2 yards out to put the Gators in front. However, with a kicker at the other end, the two-point conversion was paramount. Foss dropped back to pass and it looked like he had found Gust, but Eli Peterson knocked the ball out of his hands to deny BGMR a critical two points. Much like the Gators, the Bearcats quickly stuck it into the end zone as Knutson grabbed his second touchdown setting up the walk-off win.

This game had a little of everything. Some explosive plays on offense, some big plays on defense, a whole lot of physicallity, and ultimately a game-defining specials teams scramble. It would come as no suprise to see a matchup down the road. The Bearcats stay atop the sub-district with a record of 3-0 and will move on to a game against Goodridge/Grygla next week. Meanwhile for the Gators, they will remain on the road when they take on Warren-Alvarado-Oslo next Friday.

To hear BGMR head coach Striker Hasson’s comments check out our Coaches Corner.