Opening night of the 2025 football for Alliance started on Friday with a road trip to Gordon. The Bulldogs exploded with a 42 point 2nd period and bested the Mustangs 72 to 24 to began the year 1 and 0. Alliance scored five touchdowns in the quarter plus a safety in getting the win. Junior runner back Trini Trejo led the offense with 4 scores and one pat. He finished the contest with 295 yards rushing. Also over 100 yards was Sophomore Caysen Robertson who ended with 123 yards. Robertson scored twice and had 4 successful extra points. The Bulldogs led just 8 to 0 after the first quarter but the huge second period made the score 50 to 0 at halftime .
Alliance found success early. On the Dog’s second play, Trini scored on a 73 yard jaunt. Senior Espen Lanik added the pat and with 11:44 showing on the clock, Alliance was up 8 to 0. The rest of the quarter was a scoreless affair. A sack by Robertson stopped the Mustang first drive. Alliance wouldn’t score on their next series. Another tackle for a loss by Robertson foiled Gordon next attempt. Penalties then plagued Alliance on their try as the score stayed at 8 to 0. The quarter closed with big defensive plays by Lucas Weber and Robertson and the Bulldogs ahead 8 to 0.
Two big Trejo gains got the Dogs off to a good start in quarter #2. Starting at midfield , Alliance got a 33 yard run by Trejo to get close.
The Bulldogs called again on their back who scored from the 14. Robertson scored the extra point and 11:35 left in the half, the Bulldogs were up 16 to 0. It was the Bulldogs defense who put the next points on the board. Sacks by Robertson and Jaden Guerra pushed the Mustangs back towards their own end zone. On third down, Robertson tackled the Gordon quarterback in the end zone resulting in a safety and the Dogs getting the ball back. It would take Alliance just one offensive play to extend their advantage. Quarterback Jay Shelmadine hooked up with Lanik for a 38 yard td pass. The pat was good by Robertson and with under 10 minutes remaining in the half, the Dog’s margin was 26 to 0.
Sacks by Robertson and Guerra stopped Gordon’s next series and a fumble recovery by Robertson set up Alliance’s ensuing score. Trejo scored from the 24 and after another good extra point by Robertson, the Alliance advantage went to 34. The half closed with 2 more touchdown by the guests. A 10 yard td pass from Shelmadine to Lanik made it 42 to 0. Right before half, Robertson scored from 20. On the Bulldog’s final 2 tallies, Robertson tacked on the extra points. A sack by Jett Herian would set up the Dog’s final score. After 2 periods of action, Alliance enjoyed a 50 to 0 lead.
Quarter 3 saw the Mustangs get the ball first and fail to score. Beginning at the 47 yard line, the Bulldog offense quickly went to work. A 29 yard scamper by Trejo got the visitors close. The opening drive concluded with Trejo scoring from the 25. Point after try was no good. At the 5 minute mark, the hosts scored to make it 56 to 8. The period finished with a td run of 32 yards by Robertson and a Herian pat run. Heading to the final 12 minutes, the Bulldogs were ahead 64 to 8.
Both teams would put points on the board in the fourth. A 12 td pass by Gordon made it 64 to 16. Alliance countered with a nice drive of their own. Freshman Jacoby Bauer had two big plays to lead the Dogs. First Bauer, the Alliance quarterback, found end Smiley Valdovinos for a 28 yard gain. Bauer then scored the Bulldogs final points on a td run that covered 67 yards. Jett Childers added the pat. At the 3:40 mark, the hosts ended the scoring on a 23 yard td pass.
Final. Alliance 72 Gordon 24
Bulldogs 8 42 14 8 72
Mustangs 0 0 8 16 24
Stats for the night. Trejo 15 carries 295 yards. 4 touchdowns. 1 pat
Robertson. 11 attempts. 123 yards. 2 touchdowns. 4 pats
Bauer 2 carries 70 yards. One td
Passing. Shelmadine 4 completions. 68 yards 2 touchdowns. Receiving. Lanik 3 catches 63 yards. 2 touchdowns
Alliance 36 attempts 536 yards rushing Passing 96 yards. Total offense 632 yards.
The Bulldogs will be at home on Friday with a contest against Holdrege