Duster whirlwind runs into Bison blast

Monday, October 16, 2017
The McCook Bison unleashed an awesome rush game with sophomore quarterback Cameryn Berry breaking free for a 49-yard, first-quarter touchdown run with aid of blocks from teammates like senior Justin Barenberg (56).
Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Maybe the Holdrege Duster logo reminded McCook’s Oklahoma Sooners fan of an Iowa State Cyclone.

How in the name of Barry Switzer could those ’Clones beat mighty OU on its own home turf?

Maybe it was hearing coach-dad talk on about how the Bison were just going through motions one week ago.

Motions? The Bison will show you motions!

A red-headed Tasmanian Devil wearing red from head to toe was simply too much for a team bringing little tornadoes into Weiland Field Friday evening.

Junior DJ Gross blasted through and blew up Holdrege’s second play for a four-yard loss while setting McCook’s Homecoming Night tone.

The Bison went from a meager 3-0 first half last week to three touchdowns before Holdrege achieved two first downs.

“That was our mojo this week. We needed to rectify some wrongs and the whole team came out on fire,” coach Jeff Gross proclaimed following a 35-6 Homecoming win. “If we play like we did in the first half tonight, we will be a tough (playoff) out come next month.”

The Bison (7-1 record) buried their long-time rivals under 337 rushing yards while only permitting Holdrege to gain 19.

They unleashed junior running back Gabe Sehnert in a new “wildcat” set where he took the snap from center — although it could only be called when describing a Bison.

Dusters were literally spinning as Sehnert steamed 10, 19 and then 12 yards to a first Bison touchdown.

“We were firing on all cylinders,” coach Gross confirmed. “That’s the way we are supposed to play.”

McCook needed two plays for touchdown No. 2 barely two minutes later.

Sophomore quarterback Cameryn Berry would keep the football this time, dart upfield and do something J.T. Barrett didn’t even do for Ohio State in Lincoln Saturday evening.

Okay, the Buckeyes scored almost every other way.

Yet it was Berry who kept the football, dashed past several mini-tornadoes and outran Holdrege’s last defender for a 49-yard touchdown.

Berry delivered his first 100-100 game: 107 yards rushing, 110 passing.

All that despite a second-half running clock.

Berry’s 20-yard run on third down-and-12 set up the third TD.

It was junior Alec Bunger’s turn as he sliced through another nice opening and tallied a one-yard touchdown.

“They (Holdrege) focused on taking (fullback) Paxton Terry away,” coach Gross observed since second leading rusher Terry only carried once on Homecoming. “But Alec Bunger is another good back.”

Don’t forget sophomore Corban Jernigan with his varsity-best 68 yards on 12 carries.

The Bison average 6.6 yards a rush through eight games and feature eight different backs who are 5.8 per carry or better.

Meanwhile, Gross continued running to three tackles behind Holdrege’s line of scrimmage. His 15 tackles for loss easily lead the powerful Bison ‘D’ this season.

McCook moved one more time before the break to that second Sehnert touchdown needing just a two-yard run.

“We didn’t punt once during the first half,” coach Gross said in another fact disturbingly familiar to what Husker fans witnessed against Ohio State Saturday. “We figured if we came out and scored in the second half, it would be done.”

However, Berry’s best pass led to the final first-half TD on Friday.

He lofted one perfect football down the sideline that junior Morgan Fawver caught in stride and carried 52 yards to six-point paradise.

Junior Trae Koetter’s fourth of five successful PAT kicks created the 28-0 halftime advantage.

McCook did just that, although all that running would lead to Berry’s best pass.

He lofted a perfect football down the sideline which junior state trackster Morgan Fawver ran under.

Fawver dashed 52 yards and finished McCook’s fireworks until the post-game victory celebration.

Senior Hunter Potthoff caught two more Berry throws but didn’t quite get one more score his teammates and coaches would have loved to witness.

“His grandma died around 2:30 today. I know Hunter was in Kearney last night and at his grandma’s bedside,” coach Gross explained. “I wanted to get him at TD.”

Potthoff still leads McCook with 13 pass receptions and two TDs this season.

Holdrege didn’t get its one touchdown until less than two minutes remained Friday evening.

The determined Dusters finally broke free for one long pass that set up a one-yard score for senior Scott Lamon.

Holdrege’s ensuing PAT kick was missed.

McCook was still moving until the finish thanks to Jernigan’s quick moves and strong O-line play. Reserve linemen Jake Roberts, Zach Latimer, Jared Cole and Hunter Cunningham were among those who contributed to this latest Bison dominance.

Senior Gavyn Klein added two more impressive runs covering 15 yards.

McCook moves on to its regular-season finale at Lexington Friday evening. The Bison clinched another district title when those Minutemen (2-6 record) fell 29-0 at Hastings last weekend.

Watch for details later this week.

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