EMMETT — If there is a lesson to be learned from Bishop Kelly’s first three football games it is this: Don’t punt to Cory Brady.
After Friday night’s 69-yard punt return against Emmett, the 5-foot-11, 165-pound senior has now returned three punts for touchdowns this season.
“I hope they keep kicking to him,” Bishop Kelly coach Tim Brennan said. “We’ll see. If he was on the other team, I wouldn’t kick to him.”
Brady’s special teams heroics were just a piece of the puzzle in Bishop Kelly’s 35-6 dismantling of previously unbeaten Emmett (3-1) at Husky Field.
Junior quarterback Bowen Ogata completed 9-of-15 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Knights to their third straight win and a share of the lead atop the 4A Southern Idaho Conference standings.
Ogata has made great strides since taking over as the Knights’ starter last season.
His secret weapon?
Former Bishop Kelly standout and Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins returned to his alma mater to coach quarterbacks this year. Hawkins’ insight is already paying dividends.
“Bowen is 100 times better than he was as a sophomore,” Brennan said. “He has so much more composure, and when you throw the ball like we have been able to the last couple of weeks, that opens up other things. It is a total team effort and our kids just have been working real hard during the week.”
In the past two games alone, the Knights have scored 107 points while allowing just 26.
The offensive outburst in combination with a tough defense has moved BK all the way up to the No. 2 spot in the 4A state media poll behind defending state champion Blackfoot.
It’s also looking a lot like the BK football teams of old. Before Brennan resigned in 2006 after 15 years of coaching the Knights, BK had won three state titles and seven conference championships. He returned to the helm last season.
“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve dreamed of playing for Bishop Kelly,” Brady said. “Watching them in 2004 and 2005, undefeated seasons, back-to-back state titles, it made me want to be a part of that program. It made me want to do the same thing they did.”
