A pair evenly match ball clubs met in Minden on Friday. Alliance hit the road for a four and a half hour trip for a football contest against the Whippets. It was the season opener for both squads. The hosts held off a late rally by the Bulldogs and posted a 26 to 20 win over AHS. Alliance had a chance for a tie in the final minutes but a pass in the end zone was tipped away. Running back Trini Trejo led the Dog offense with 3 scores while linebacker Caysen Robertson had a fumble recovery and an interception to pace the D. Alliance led 14 to 13 at halftime before the hosts surged ahead with back to back tallies to go up 26 to 13. A Trejo score pulled the Dogs to within 6 but a late comeback was turn away.
Minden made the game’s first big play on the opening kickoff when the Bulldogs failed to cover the kick. Starting on the 27, the Whippets put together a six play drive that ended with a 6 yard TD run. The extra point was good and with 9:54 on the clock, Alliance was down 7 to 0. Both teams was denied on their next series. A nice punt by Dog Mike Johnson pinned the hosts inside the 5. From there, it was Nason Thompson and Robertson causing a fumble which went out the end zone, resulting in a safety. At the 6:35 mark, the Dogs were behind 7 to 2. Alliance then took advantage of the good field position to take the lead. Trejo scampered in from the 39 yard line to give the guests the lead at 8 to 7. The period ended scoreless despite a Robertson pick and a fumble recovery.
Another TO by the hosts is how the second began. A hard hit by Thompson caused another miscue by the Whippets. Braeden Clarke was there for the recovery as the guests got the ball inside the 10 yard line. Trejo plowed in from the 2 yard line and with less than 10 minutes remaining in the half, the Dogs went up 14 to 7. The teams then swapped punts before Minden put together one last drive right before half. Using a strong option attack, the hosts got close. The drive finished with a 6 yard TD pass with 23 second left in the half. Minden’s PAT was no good and the half came to a conclusion with AHS up 14 to 13.
Third quarter action had the Whippets controlling the action. Alliance would run just 5 plays in the period. MHS got the ball first and went straight to their option game for big yardage. A one yard rushing touchdown at the 8 minute mark made it 19 to 14. Alliance would gain one first down on their next possession but were forced to punt. The rest of the period had the hosts maintaining the ball. Heading to the 4th, Alliance trailed 19 to 14.
Facing a fourth and 11 on the 30, the Whippets then made the play of the game. A 30 yard TD pass at the 9 minute mark put the Dog deficit at 26 to 14. Following scoreless possessions by both clubs, Alliance began their comeback. A short punt by the hosts gave the Bulldogs the ball inside the 30. Strong runs by Trejo got Alliance close. With 5 minutes remaining, Trejo roared in from the 17 for his third score on the night. The point after was no good as the Bulldogs pulled within 6 at 26 to 20. Alliance’s D was then stingy as a tackle by Jett Childers on third down forced a Whippet punt. Starting at midfield in the final minutes, AHS got close thanks to a strong run by Trejo and a penalty by the hosts. Facing a fourth and five for the 24 with 2 minute left, Alliance tired a half back pass but the ball was batted away in the end zone. Minden then was able to run the final seconds and post the win 26 to 20.
ALL 8 6 0 6 20
MIN 7 6 6 7 26
Stats Trejo 24 carries 144 yards 3 TD
Robertson 4 carries 5 yards
Jackson Shelmadine 3 completions 21 yards
Smiley Valdovinos 2 catches 10 yards Jaden Guerra 1 catch 11 yards
Alliance will host Chase County on Friday.