What happened: The Bellevue West football team defeated the Kearney Bearcats 17-10 on Friday, October 26. The victory advances the Thunderbirds through the first round of the NSAA Class A State Playoffs. West improved their overall record to 9-1.

By the numbers: Junior Jevyon Ducker led the Thunderbirds with 25 carries for 213 yards and rushing for a touchdown. Ducker also caught 5 passes for 46 yards and a receiving touchdown. Senior quarterback Evan Kieser completed 14 of 24 passes with 124 yards and a touchdown.

The other side: Kearney’s defense played a huge part in keeping this game close. Before playing Kearney, West was averaging almost 53 points per game. The Bearcats held them to only 17. In the 4th quarter, Kearney quarterback Brayden Miller rushed for a touchdown to tie the game with 1:14 left on the clock. If it weren’t for a game-winning touchdown by Ducker this game would have gone to overtime.

Did you see that? Just after Kearney tied the game with under a minute left to play, Ducker rushed for a 68 yard gain which brought West to the 2-yard line. On the next play, Ducker took the direct snap and ran in for the touchdown with 35 seconds left in the game.

Up next: Bellevue West will play Elkhorn South in the quarterfinals of the NSAA Class A State Playoffs. The game is at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2 at Faiman Field.