Bison control football, but Bearcats strike quick to win 20-14

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — McCook's quest to beat Class B No. 5 Scottsbluff fell short with a final failed fourth-down play and the host Bearcats held on for their 20-14 victory Friday night.

The Bison (5-3 record) became a first team other than 8-0 Seward to play within 25 points of 7-1 Scottsbluff.

McCook trailed 12-7 at half thanks to Scottsbluff's opening two-play touchdown on quarterback Nate Kelley's 56-yard run, then his 40-yard "Hail Mary" pass entering that midway break.

The Bearcats only ran two first-quarter plays and five until less than three minutes before half.

McCook took a 7-6 lead on quarterback Trenton Raile's one-yard sneak and a Gunner Kaps PAT kick.

However — after a short second-half opening kickoff — Scottsbluff only needed to cover 40 yards where the Bearcats scored for their 20-7 lead. The Bearcats later missed a field goal, and McCook responded with Raile's 28-yard touchdown pass to junior Miles Pullman.

Yet the Bison never got closer than Scottsbluff's 37 again where a fourth-down pass fell incomplete.

The Bearcats ran off a final 3:46 which secured this win while likely spoiling McCook's hopes for a first-round state playoff game two weeks from tonight.

Watch for more on Monday and in the next Gazette edition.