Bennington Football Rallies for Dramatic 27-23 Road Win at Kearney, Remains Undefeated

2–3 minutes

By Marisa Dawson, Photos by Jeff Douglas

A football player in a white jersey with 'BENNINGTON' and number 13 evades a tackle from multiple opposing players in blue uniforms during a nighttime game.
Knox Naughton blocks opponents while Kaleb Tysor makes a run with the ball.

Trailing for much of the night and staring at a 16-point deficit in the third quarter, the Bennington Badgers refused to fold. Instead, they exploded for 20 unanswered points and claimed a hard-fought 27-23 victory over Kearney on Friday night, improving to 6-0 and staying perfect heading into homecoming week.

The Bearcats controlled large stretches of the game. Kearney led 10-7 at halftime and then dominated the third quarter, blocking a punt for a score and adding another touchdown after a key fourth-down stop to push the lead to 23-7. Bennington answered before the quarter ended to make it 23-13, but the Badgers still faced an uphill climb entering the final period.

A football player in a blue uniform is being tackled by two opponents during a game, with a referee observing in the background.

That is when the momentum finally shifted. Senior running back William Gutz (pictured above) powered the offense with 170 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries, while senior quarterback Ty Bouaphakeo (pictured below) completed 20 of 29 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown. Junior wide receiver Knox Naughton hauled in six catches for 75 yards and a score.

A football player in a white uniform with 'Bennington' written on it, wearing a blue helmet, is in the process of throwing a football while another player is on the ground behind him.

Head coach Kam Lenhart pointed to a specific moment as the turning point. “I think the momentum changed when we scored our 2nd touchdown to get to 13,” Lenhart said. “You could see our players’ belief start to grow. The defense then came out and made a huge stop. Once our defense knew we could stop them, they knew they could do it again. I believe they had only 1 first down after that. Our offense was also able to take advantage of the belief and put together 2 more touchdown drives.”

The Badgers’ defense clamped down in the fourth quarter, forcing stops and limiting Kearney’s offense. Bennington scored again early in the period, then methodically drove 70 yards in more than three minutes of clock to take the lead with under five minutes remaining. An interception sealed the win.

A football player in a blue jersey is being tackled by an opposing player in white and blue, on a field with other players in the background.
Demarcus Perkins goes for the tackle.
A football player in a blue uniform is being tackled by an opponent in a white and blue uniform on a grassy field during a night game.
Jay Stahlecker takes out a Bearcat.

Staying composed while trailing was essential, Lenhart noted. “It was tremendously important. But that is why we practice how to handle sudden change.”

What separated a potential loss from the victory, he said, was belief. “They believed there was a way to win, and they found it. That is what we say a true competitor always does. They have to believe.”

The comeback also revealed the team’s character. “Our players trust in each other and what they’ve been taught to do in moments like this,” Lenhart said.

A high school football player in a white uniform with blue accents makes an impressive catch while jumping in mid-air. Another player in a blue uniform is attempting to defend but is unable to reach the ball. The background shows a cheering crowd and other players on the sidelines.
Owen Vernon reaches for a catch.

Looking ahead to Friday’s homecoming matchup against Omaha Bryan, the coach sees clear lessons from both the early struggles and the strong finish. “Teams are going to adjust to try and stop us. When that happens, we have to be able to adjust as well. There are still areas we can improve on if we want to be a great team! We are fortunate we have four more practices to do so before our next game.”

Bennington will look to extend its perfect start under the home lights against the Omaha Bryan Bears this Friday night.

A football team in white and blue uniforms running onto the field, with a coach leading them. A school bus is visible in the background.
A high school football player executing a kick on the field, with teammates and fans in the background.
A football player in a blue uniform leaps high to catch the ball while another player in a white uniform attempts to defend against the catch. Spectators are visible in the background, watching the game.
A football player in a blue uniform with the number 9 throws the ball while being pressured by a defender in a white uniform, number 17, who is attempting a tackle. Another player in blue with the number 0 is in the background. Spectators are visible in the stands.
A football player in a blue helmet and white uniform hands the ball off to another player wearing a similar uniform during a game.
A football player in a white uniform attempts to evade a tackle by an opposing player in a blue uniform, with another player on the ground in a blue uniform during a game.
A high school football quarterback in a white uniform with blue accents, wearing number 12, throws a pass while players from both teams line up for a play.
A high school football player wearing a white jersey with blue stripes is reaching for the ball while being tackled by two opponents in blue jerseys on a football field.
A football player in a blue uniform is being tackled by two opponents, one in a white and blue striped helmet and the other on the ground. The scene captures the intensity of the game, with spectators blurred in the background.
Three football players in white uniforms with blue stripes and 'Bennington' written on them, during a game on a turf field. Player number 9 is running with the ball while players 51 and 20 are providing support.
A football player in a white uniform with blue stripes is being tackled by an opponent while holding the ball during a game.
A moment during a football game featuring a player preparing for a kick while another player holds the ball on the field, surrounded by teammates and spectators in the background.
A football player in a white jersey with blue accents preparing to kick a football during a night game, with a crowd in the stands behind him.
A high school football player wearing a white and blue uniform runs with the ball on a grassy field, while players from the opposing team in blue attempt to tackle him.
A high school football player in a white uniform with blue accents, wearing the number 12, prepares to throw the ball while evading defenders during a night game.
A football player wearing a white jersey with 'BENNINGTON' and number 12 is throwing a pass while teammates run in the background during a night game.
High school football players on the field during a night game, with one player in blue running toward the end zone while others pursue him.
A football player in a white jersey with blue stripes carries the ball while two defenders in blue jerseys are attempting to tackle him during a night game.
A football player in blue is attempting to throw the ball while being chased by a defender in white. The scene takes place on a football field, with spectators in the background.
A football player in white and blue uniform leaps to catch a pass during a game, with a blue team player attempting to defend. Spectators watch in the background.
A football player wearing a white jersey with blue accents catches the ball while another player in a blue jersey attempts to tackle him on the field. A crowd is visible in the background.
A crowd of fans wearing blue attire gathered in a stadium, some waving and smiling, showing enthusiasm during a sporting event.
A football player with the number 82 celebrates in mid-air during a game, while another player with the number 4 stands nearby. A referee signals on the right side, and the crowd is visible in the background.

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