2024 season preview of the returning Class 4 state champions: The Kearney Bulldogs
KEARNEY, Mo. —聽
Head Coach: Logan Minnick (3rd season as head coach.)
Conference: Blue Division of the Suburban Conference
Class: 4
2023 Record: 5-1 in Conference, 13-2 Overall (Class 4 State Champions)
2023 Scoring: Offense 38.7 PPG Defense 13.4 PPG
Returning Starters: Offense: 4 Defense: 5.
In an impressive display of dominance, the Bulldogs conquered their way to a fifth program state title in 2023, stamping their mark on the Missouri high school football landscape. Despite facing many injuries early on, the team rallied to become an unstoppable wave of purple domination, securing turbo clock victories in eight of their final twelve games. Head Coach Logan Minnick’s leadership and tactical prowess were duly recognized as he was deservedly named the 2023 Class 4 Coach of the Year by MSHSAA. This remarkable season cements the Bulldogs’ status as a force to be reckoned with in Class 4 again in 2024.
Moving on to the college athletic ranks from last season are Manny Linthacum (Missouri), Jack Helberg (Colorado Mesa-baseball) Casey Rooney (SW Baptist), Cameron Emmons (William Jewell), Aiden Smith (William Jewell), Cohen Jacobs (SW Baptist), Tyler Jarrett (William Jewell), Bryce Page (Missouri Western), Jackson Cook (William Jewell), Carson Shear (Missouri Western 鈥� baseball), and Gavin Warren (William Jewell).
Even though the Bulldogs lost a bevy of talent, they return with a core group of elite-level athletes, including 2023 All-State lineman Ty Smith. Speedy and agile, this 6-foot-2, 255-pound athlete was the Class 4 state discus champion last year. For his final season with the Bulldogs, he will knock big holes upfront with All-state offensive lineman Joe Shranz, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound senior鈥攐ne of the three players to have a Division 1 college offers on the squad. He has the size, mobility, and strength to move defenders. Also returning on the line is 250-pound All-Conference offensive lineman Ace Biddix.
The seven-time All-State sprinter and hurdler Grant Noland returns at defensive back. He missed virtually all of last year’s regular season with a severe injury but returned in the playoffs and had ten tackles in the Class 4 state championship game in 2023. Not just a speedster, but expect Noland to run the ball, score touchdowns, and make dynamic plays on both sides of the field. His game intelligence is deadly. He is committed to playing for the University of North Dakota in the Fall.
Also deadly are the punishing tackles of First-Team All-State Linebacker Theo Grace, who has the top weight room numbers (three-lift combined of 1,270 pounds) for any linebacker in the state鈥攁nd the ability and speed to cover from sideline to sideline. He was an All-Simone Team selection last year, with 124 tackles in twelve games. Another multi-sport athlete, he set the all-classes state meet record for the javelin in 2023. He has committed to competing in football and track at North Dakota. Expect him to be a menacing presence in the middle of the field.
Kearney graduated two first-time all-state defensive linemen but still finds itself starting this season with two top-notch future college prospects in Isaac and Mason Beaver. The juniors relocated from Iowa over the Summer, coming in ranked #5 and #7 on prepredzone.com’s list of the top college recruits from the 2026 Class in Iowa (#1 and #2 in defensive line prospects). Both boast tremendous weight room numbers, speed, agility, and skills. Expect junior Clayton Cowan to make plays on the defensive line as well.
A host of talented players, like junior quarterback Brad Doll, will make big plays on Fridays this Fall. He got the opportunity to play a lot of minutes last season and should be ready to go. Also, junior running back Corbin Emmons, senior receiver Tre Smith, junior Jesse Satterfield, senior receiver Trent Dostal, and sophomore linebacker/QB Carter Temple (a state champion wrestler at 175 pounds.) Baseball player and senior Tyler Maynard returns to the gridiron for the first time in years as a linebacker, another guy who can squat more than 500 pounds and bench press more than 300 pounds. Expect excellent contributions from seniors Talan Shaw at center and Trent Fritz at safety.
All-state kicker Jacob Dillon, at 6-foot-1, 190-pounder, will also move into a role at linebacker. Dillion was a state qualifier in the triple and long jump last season.
“He was playing behind three senior linebackers and Theo last year,” says Minnick. “He probably starts as a linebacker last year for several teams. He’ll step in and be a defensive contributor for sure.”
The motto for the Bulldogs this year is #HUNGRY.
“You don’t want to be the fat dog on the porch that won’t even get up and chase the mailman, “says Head Coach Logan Minnick. “We gotta stay hungry. Because once you win one, you want to win several.”
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