A combination of a strong defense and powerful offense by Gering was too much for the Alliance’s 8th grade football team on Saturday. In the home opener, Gering downed the Bulldogs 26 to 0. Gering would score in each quarter while Alliance was kept off the scoreboard. The hosts would win the 10 minute B game in the finale, besting Gering 14 to 8.
Both team’s defense were up for the task in the opening period. Gering got the ball first and found the going tough. A tip pass by safety Cormic Stark on a third down pass forced a Gering punt of the G Dogs first series. Alliance got the ball at the 34 yard line but three straight plays would net no first downs. The quarter came to a close with the visitors getting on the board. A Gering 1 yard td run made the score 6 to 0 with 28 left in the period. The extra point was good. On the ensuing kick, Alliance return man Casyn Nelson gave Alliance great field position with strong run to the Gering 36 yard line.
In the second quarter, the Gering defense was strong again as the Bulldogs had to punt. A mixture of tough runs and short passes by the guests helped Gering move into Alliance territory. Tackles for loss by Nelson and Abel Moreno briefly denied any big plays for Gering. At the 1:32 mark, Gering tacked on another score on a 3 yard touchdown run that put the visitors ahead 14 to 0. A 50 yard pass by Alliance quarterback Tripp Johnson to Stark gave the Bulldogs one last chance right before half. Unfortunately, a Bulldog fumble on the next play ruined the Alliance opportunity. The half closed with Gering ahead 14 to 0.
Two strong tackles by Alliance defensive lineman Remington Turman turned Gering away on the Bulldog’s first series of the second half. On Alliance’s first possession, it was the Gering’s defense time to shine. A half back pass by Alliance was intercepted by Gering as the guests got the ball back. Starting from the 38, Gering marched the ball into Alliance territory. A 43 yard touchdown pass by Gering gave the guest their third score. With 4 minutes left in the period, the Gering lead stood by 20 to 0. Once again a strong return by Nelson gave Alliance a chance. A pass from Johnson to receiver Grayson Dibrito helped Alliance advance the ball to midfield. The drive continued with a strong run by Bulldog James Scriven which gave Alliance another first down. Disaster then struck for Alliance on their next play as a Bulldog fumble gave the ball back to Gering. The quarter closed with a stop by Alliance’s Burr Underwood and Gering leading 20 to 0.
The final 8 minutes of play saw another score by Gering. A 3 yard td run made the score 26 to 0. An Alliance interception ruined the Dogs next series and gave the ball back to the guests. Tackles for loss by Alliance’s Joe Collins and Underwood kept Gering from advancing on the G Dogs next possession. The contest came to close with neither scoring and Gering going on for the 26 to 0 win.
GER 8 6 6 6 26
ALL 0 0 0 0 0
Two touchdown runs by Alliance’s Wyatt Hardy were enough in the 10 minute B game that followed. Hardy scored on runs of 45 yards and 59 runs as Alliance was victorious 14 to 8. Quarterback Kyler Hamel would tack on the PAT that put the A Dogs up 14 to 0. Strong tackles by Esai Trejo stopped a Gering comeback later in the game. The Alliance 7th grade team was also in action on Saturday. Alliance downed Gering 8 to 6 for their first win.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs travel to Chadron.