A touchdown pass from Jacoby Bauer to Mason Winter with 30 seconds powered the Alliance junior varsity squad past Mitchell 34 to 32 in a thriller played Monday in Alliance. Down 32 to 14 in the third period, the Bulldogs scored the game’s last 20 points in getting the victory. The contest featured big plays by both clubs on offense, defense, and on special teams. AHS now has a JV record of 1 and 2.
Alliance got the ball first and had success. Bauer connected with Smiley Valdovinos for a big gain to get the Dogs to midfield. Running back Jett Childers then picked up 12 yards as Alliance got close. The drive unfortunately came to an end with a Dog turnover. On the Tiger’s first series, the guests also had success. Mitchell put together a long march that end with a 1 yard TD run. The PAT was good and with 6 minutes left in the period, AHS was down 8 to 0. Another turnover by the Dogs on the following possession kept the Bulldog deficit at 8. Alliance was then stout on Mitchell’s next series forcing a Tiger punt. Bulldog Jackson Devlin would return the kick 44 yards, giving the hosts great field position. From the 30, it was Childers racing around the end for an Alliance score. Bauer added the extra point to tie the game at 8 with 3:59 remaining in the period. The quarter came to a close with Mitchell turning the ball over on downs and Alliance scoring on a 61 yard TD pass from Bauer to Valdovinos. After one quarter of action, AHS was up 14 to 8.
Following another Tiger punt, the Dogs threaten again. A 49 yard run by Childers gave the Dogs the ball at the 11 yard as the second quarter got under way. Alliance was then turned away as a Tiger pick ruin the drive. The INT was return 80 yards and gave the visitors first and goal from the 5. With 4:02 left in the half, Mitchell scored and added the PAT. The Tiger’s margin was 2 at 16 to 14. Both teams then traded scoreless possession. On the Bulldog’s final drive, disaster struck. Another interception by the guests resulted in more points by Mitchell. The pick 6 went 84 yards and the half came to an end with Alliance down 24 to 14.
Period #3 didn’t start well for the hosts. A 75 yard kick return for a score to begin the quarter gave Mitchell a lead of 32 to 14. Slowly, the Dogs started their comeback. Alliance put together a nice drive starting from the 30. Big gains by Childers gave AHS hope. A 25 yard pass from Bauer to Jackson Smith plus big yards to Childers got the ball to the 32. From there it was Bauer scoring on a strong run. The extra point was good thanks to a scamper by Childers and with 8 minutes left in the period, the Tiger’s lead was sliced to 32 to 22. The contest’s next three drives all ended with interceptions. Alliance got picks from Smith and Devlin to stay in the hunt. Devlin’s INT return gave the Dogs the ball inside the 10. With 5:51 showing on the clock, a three yard score by Childers pulled the Dogs to within 4 at 32 to 28. The quarter closed with another interception by Devlin and AHS trailing by 4.
Action again was fast and furious in the fourth. Another Devlin interception foiled a Mitchell drive. Nice gains by Bauer and Childers kept the Dogs in striking distance but an incomplete pass on the fourth down gave the rock back to the guests. From midfield, the Dog defense was again up for the challenge as the Tigers were forced to punt. A pair of flags on Mitchell helped Alliance chances on their final possession. Passes from Bauer to Valdovinos and Smith along with a 15 yard gain by Childers put the ball inside the 10. With 30 seconds left and AHS facing a fourth and goal, Bauer connected with Winter for a 5 yard TD pass. The extra point was no good as the Bulldogs surged ahead 34 to 32. The thriller came to a conclusion with a QB sack by Valdovinos and Alliance getting the W 34 to 32.
MITCH 8 16 8 0 32
ALL 14 0 14 6 34
Alliance’s next home JV affair will be Monday, October 6 versus Chadron.