Two second half touchdowns and a stout defensive effort were the keys in Saturday’s Alliance 20 to 8 win over Gering in 8th grade football action in a contest played in Alliance. Down 8 to 6 at half, AMS scored once in the third period and once in the final quarter to begin the year 1 and 0. The teams then play a 2 period b game with the contest ending at 8 to 8.
Back to back big plays from Bulldog Caysen Robertson gave AMS the early momentum. A pass from quarterback Jay Shelmadine to Robertson on the game’s first play gained 17 yards. It was followed by a run by Robertson which netted 18 yards. Facing a third and long it was AMS scoring via the air as Shelmadine hit Wyatt Stabnow who raced 43 yards for the game’s first score. The period ended with no scores from either squad and Alliance ahead 6 to 0. With 5 minutes to go in the half it was Gering getting on the board with a safety that cut their deficit to 6 to 2. The half ended with the Bulldogs receiving big defensive plays from Jadon Guerra and Colter Tolstedt which kept Gering off the scoreboard. Gering would end the half ahead thanks to pick 6, putting the visitors up 8 to 6.
Gering got the ball first in the second half and had to punt. From the 43 it was Robertson roaring around the left side for another Alliance score. The play netted 57 yards and put the hosts ahead 12 to 8. The hometown Dogs would nice defensive plays from Coy Childers and Colton Johnson to keep Gering from scoring and the period ended with AMS ahead 12 to 8. A short punt by Gering in the fourth helped Alliance put the game away. With 4:32 left Robertson scored from the nine yard line. The pat was good by Robertson, increasing the AMS lead to 20 to 8. Gering would threaten with a reverse play which netted 25 yards. But a sack by Alliance’s Demitrii Brooks-Varga ended the Gering drive and the ball game. Final AMS 20 Gering 8
Gering 0 8 0 0 8
AMS 6 0 6 8 20
Scoring AMS in the B game was Tanner Salcido which ended tied at 8. Alliance’s next game will be Saturday, September 16 when Chadron comes to town. Also on that date, the Bulldog seventh grade team will play the Cardinals at home. The games are scheduled to begin at 9:00. The seventh graders fell to Gering on Saturday by a 26 to 14 score. Gering stormed to an early but AMS would rally, winning the second half but falling short.