In a good old fashion barn burner, it was the Alliance 8th grade football team defeating Sidney 14 to 12 in a game played last Tuesday in Alliance. The Bulldogs had a 14 to 6 lead before a punt return by the Raiders got the guests to within 2. A quarterback sack by Bulldog Xander Narjes on the ensuing PAT helped Alliance maintain their lead. The one-two punch of running backs James Scriven and Wyatt Hardy then secured the win for the Dogs. With the victory, AMS now has a record of 1 and 2 for the year.
Both defenses went to work in the opening moments of the first period. A fumble recovery by Bulldog Casyn Nelson denied the Raiders any points. From the 27, the Alliance offense started a nice drive. Passes from quarterback Tripp Johnson to Cormic Stark and Scriven ended the scoreless quarter. A power run by Scriven got the Dogs close with the drive concluding with a TD pass by Johnson to Stark. The play went 8 yards with a run by Scriven for the extra point which put the Dogs ahead 8 to 0. A Stark interception stopped the Raider’s next drive but the half came to a close with a Sidney score. At half Alliance led 8 to 6.
A big sack by Alliance’s Burr Underwood of Sidney’s opening possession kept the Dogs out in front. Starting at midfield, it was Hardy getting Alliance’s second score. The Bulldog running back raced 47 yards to make the score 14 to 6 in favor of Alliance. Sidney responded with a nice kick return but a big time stop on fourth down by Scriven foiled the Raider drive. The Dogs would go three and out and the following punt was returned for a Sidney touchdown. Narjes kept the Dogs ahead with a sack on the PAT and the period ended with the Bulldogs ahead 14 to 12.
Strong fourth quarter runs by Hardy and Scriven kept the momentum on the side of the Bulldogs. Late in the game, it was the Dog defense coming up with the big plays. Alliance’s D would cause a fumble and record a sack and in preserving the 14 to 12 victory.
SID 0 6 6 0 12
ALL 0 8 6 0 14
AMS will be at home on Saturday with a game with Scottsbluff.