Two touchdowns in the opening minutes by Gering powered the visiting Bulldogs past Alliance 28 to 6 in football action on Friday. Also stout of defense, the guests held AHS to just 133 yards of total offense to stay undefeated for the year. Alliance was hoping to stay perfect on the season but a 14 to 0 hole in the first quarter was too much to overcome. With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 2 and 1. The contest was held at Alliance’s Bulldog Stadium and had Gering take a 21 to 0 lead before an AHS score made the Bulldog deficit stand at 15 at half. Gering would score one more TD in the third in getting the victory.
Quarterback play by Gering was big in the opening minutes. Reese Knight, the Gering QB, made plays with both his arm and legs as the visitors threaten right for the start. Taking the ball at 44, Gering needed 8 plays to score on the game’s first series. A TD pass covering 13 yards gave the guests their first lead. The extra point kick was good and went 8:05 remaining in the first, Alliance trailed 7 to 0. The hosts found success on their opening drive. A pair of passes from quarterback Jay Shelmadine to end Espen Lanik moved Alliance into Gering territory. The drive then stalled on a Bulldog turnover. Beginning at midfield, the Gering offense went to work. It would take just 4 plays by the G Dogs to increase their advantage. A 30 yard TD run with 5:26 left in the period put Gering ahead by double digits. The PAT kick was good, making it 14 to 0. A super kick return by Lanik gave AHS hope on the ensuing drive but a three and out gave the ball right back to Gering. The quarter came to an end with both teams failing to score. A tackle for a loss by Alliance’s Eladio Campos stopped Gering last drive. After 12 minutes of action, Gering was up 14 to 0.
More big offensive plays by Gering is how period #2 started. The guests drove deep into Alliance territory but a pick by Shelmadine in the end zone denied GHS a score. Another three and out by the Alliance offense ensued as Gering got the ball right back and scored on 3 yard run. With 5:18 remaining in the half, the hometown Bulldogs were down 21 to 0. Another nice kick return by Lanik would set up Alliance’s only score. Beginning at midfield, Alliance got a big catch by Carson Swenson and a couple of flags on Gering to get close. The drive came to an end with a 14 yard TD pass from Shelmadine to Lanik. Alliance’s attempt for the PAT was no good and with under 2 minutes left in the half, the scoreboard read Gering 21 Alliance 6. No more scores were recorded in the final moments.
Alliance received the ball first but three straight unsuccessful plays resulted in a Bulldog punt. A miscue on the kick would then give Gering great field position on the Alliance 20 yard line. Tackles for losses by AHS’s Caysen Robertson and Ethan Schulze slowed the Gering drive but 2 yard gain on fourth and one extended the guests’ possession.
With 8:55 showing on the clock, a Gering rushing TD made the score 28 to 6. The TD carry went 3 yards. On Alliance’s next drive, the hosts again went three and out. A sack by Bulldog Jaden Guerra put Gering behind the sticks on the game’s next drive. An interception by Alliance’s Smiley Valdovinos ensued as Gering was denied another score. The period closed with Alliance trailing 28 to 6 and the rain beginning to fall.
Both defenses were solid in the final 12 minutes. A pass breakup by Lanik along with tackles for losses by Jett Herian, Cole Stoike, and Schulze kept AHS in the hunt. But the Gering defense was up for the task as Alliance was turned away throughout the period. A fumble recovery by Campos denied any more Gering points in the final moments. On Gering’s last possession, a Robertson sack for minus 14 yards finish the contest with Gering getting the win 28 to 6.
GER 14 7 7 0 28
AHS 0 6 0 0 6
Stats Alliance 133 yards of offense 79 rushing 54 passing Rushing Trini Trejo 20 carries 66 yards Robertson 4 carries 13 yards Shelmadine 7 completions for 54 yards and 1 score receiving Lanik 6 catches 44 yards 1 score Swenson 1 grab 10 yards
Alliance will be at Hershey at Friday.