Bison blank Bearcats

McCook posts

4th straight

shutout over

Scottsbluff

SCOTTSBLUFF -- The McCook Bison overcame knee injuries to all-state performer Brendan Liess and Jeff Klug to pound the Scottsbluff Bearcats 30-0 in Friday night's season-opening high school football game at Bearcat Stadium.

McCook posted a fourth straight shutout over Scottsbluff.

In the previous three seasons, the Bison blanked the Bearcats 34-0, 26-0 and 39-0.

With Liess on the sidelines, the rushing load fell to junior fullback Craig Fritz, senior quarterback Tony Purvis and senior backup tailback Ryan Bedore.

Liess, who picked off a pass and returned it 26 yards for the Bison squad's first touchdown of the season, left the game in the first period with an injury.

Junior Josh Cherry booted the extra point for a 7-0 McCook lead.

Klug, who was injured during practice this past week, limped off the field in the first quarter.

The Bison's second TD was set up by an interception by senior Garrett Rippen to the Scottsbluff 5-yard line.

Senior quarterback Tony Purvis scored from 4 yards out to make the score 13-0 McCook.

A PAT pass from holder Joel Arterburn to Fritz failed.

The Bison lost the ball on a fumble, but Purvis from his defensive cornerback spot jumped a fade route for McCook's third interception.

Cherry kicked a 37-yard field goal to give the Bison a 16-0 lead.

Fritz tacked on a 4-yard TD run and Cherry the PAT kick for a 23-0 lead with 4:33 left in the third quarter.

Scottsbluff had a long drive, but the Bison forced a fumble.

Purvis broke the game open at the start of the first quarter when he sprinted 55 yards on a quarterback keeper off the option.

Cherry kicked the PAT for a 30-0 McCook lead.

Scottsbluff's Alex Deibert suffered a neck injury late in the fourth quarter.

The trio of Fritz, Purvis and Bedore rushed for 84, 78 and 73 yards. The Bison rushed for 254 yards and limited the Bearcats to 19.

Gross said it took about eight players to take the place of Liess and Klug on offense, defense and special teams.

"It's too early to tell (about the status of Liess and Klug)," Gross said. "They need to see the doctor and won't be able to until Tuesday (because of Labor Day Monday). It's a wait-and-see deal.

"Everyone picked it up to a new level. Our offensive line as the game progressed got better and better. Ryan Bedore had to step up and play tailback. Tony Purvis took a leadership role."

M -- Brendan Liess 26 Int Rtn (Josh Cherry kick)

M -- Tony Purvis 4 run (pass failed)

M -- Cherry 37 FG

M -- Craig Fritz 4 run (Cherry kick)

M -- Purvis 55 run (Cherry kick)

Team stats

Individual stats

Rushing

McCook: Fritz 18-84, Purvis 6-78, Bedore 15-73, Berry 4-12, Liess 3-8, Frazier 3-8, Cherry 1 (-9).

Scottsbluff: Pattison 8-20, Deibert 5-12, Cantril 4-7, Sindt 1 (-8), Treffer 1 (-12).

Passing

McCook: Purvis 1-5-0-15.

Scottsbluff: Treffer 7-18-3-71, Sindt 5-8-0-29.

Receiving

McCook: Cherry 1-15.

Scottsbluff: Serda 3-49, Pattison 1-25, Deibert 4-13, Ellis 1-7, Wilson 1-3, Crane 1-2, Cantril 1-7.

Fumble recoveries

McCook: Farrell.

Scottsbluff: Ellis.

Interceptions

McCook: Liess, Rippen, Purvis.