KEARNEY, Mo. - The fourth-ranked Kearney Bulldogs got a field goal in overtime to slip past the second-ranked Helias Crusaders by a 23-20 score in a Class 4 quarterfinal thriller on Friday night.
After Helias failed to score on its possession in the extra period, Kearney's Dawson Goepferich booted a 36-yarder to give the Bulldogs the victory.
Helias got the ball first in overtime after regulation ended with the score tied at 20. The Crusaders drove the ball down to the 5, but on fourth down, a pass was incomplete to the back of the end zone.
"We thought going for it was the best option at that time," Helias coach Phil Pitts said.
Kearney got the ball at the 25 and three plays netted just 6 yards, which got them to the 19 to set up Goepferich's kick.
Neither team scored in the game's first quarter, and Kearney opened the scoring at the 10:22 mark of the second on a 39-yard pass from Johnny Weidmaier to Coalten Klenda.
Helias responded with 2:52 left before halftime on a 15-yard pass from Alex Faddoul to Hale Hentges. Sam Heckart kicked the PAT to tie it at 7.
Then with 52 second left in the half, an 11-yard pass from Weidmaier to Jess Davis gave Kearney a 14-7 at the half.
Kearney scored with 5:50 left in the third quarter on a 10-yard pass from Weidmaier to Klenda, but the PAT was blocked leaving the lead at 20-7.
With 4:08 left in regulation, Faddoul hit Kale Gerstner with a 16-yard touchdown pass. Heckart's PAT was good to make it 20-14, but Kearney was flagged for roughing the kicker on the play. Heckart was injured and did not return.
With the penalty putting the ball at the Kearney 45 for the ensuing kickoff, Helias went with an onside kick and recovered at the 34.
The Crusaders later scored on a 29-yard pass from Faddoul to Hentges with 1:57 left. Helias jumped offside on the first PAT, and then kicking from 7, the PAT was blocked to leave the game tied at 20.
Kearney had one last chance in regulation and drove to the Helias 1 with :18 left. But Weidmaier fumbled on the next play and Helias recovered to send it to overtime.
Kearney (12-1) which will play Friday at Webb City in the semifinals, had 387 total yards. Reagan Frakes led the way by rushing 33 times for 156 yards.
Helias had 384 total yards. Faddoul completed 14-of-25 passes for 280 yards and also led the Crusaders in rushing with 21 carries for 75 yards.
Helias ends the season with a record of 11-2.
"I'm very proud of this team," Pitts said.
Check the sports section of Sunday's News Tribune print edition and e-newspaper for additional coverage.