Despite a 202 yards rushing performance by running back Trini Trejo, the Alliance Bulldog football squad fell to the hands of the Hershey Panthers 28 to 0. In a contest played in perfect playing conditions Thursday night in Alliance, the Dog dropped their third game in a row to slip to 1 and 3 due the season. Hershey led 8 to 0 at halftime and added 2 late score in gaining the win.
Alliance’s defense was stout in the opening minutes. The Panthers received the ball first and found the going tough. Solid tackles by Bulldog Jett Herian and Caysen Robertson denied the guests much yardage. A fumble recovery by Herian later in the drive gave Alliance the ball at midfield. The Alliance offense was then turned away as the Dogs were forced to punt. Back on defense, key plays by Herian, Ethan Schulze, and Espen Lanik foiled any Panthers plays. The Alliance offense then started to click. Big runs by Trejo and Robertson got the Dogs close. Unfortunately the period closed with an Alliance interception and the score tied at 0 to 0.
The second began the same way with both defenses in charge. A big stop by the Alliance defense led my Schulze, Cole Stoike, and Luke Weems would force a Hershey punt. The snap went over the punter’s head, giving the Bulldogs great field position. Another Panther pick would stop the Alliance drive, keeping the game knotted at 0 midway through the period. The Bulldog defense would finally break on Hershey next series. With under 3 minutes in the half, a 12 yard touchdown run gave the guests the lead at 8 to 0. The half closed with Alliance picking up big plays. Strong runs by Herian and Trejo pushed the ball deep into Panther territory but the half closed with Bulldog offense running out of time. After 2 periods of action, the Dogs trailed 8 to 0.
Alliance received the second half kick and got one first down before a fumble ruined their drive. Starting on their 23, the Panthers would then fumble with Robertson on the recovery. A big pass play from Herian to Lanik covering 18 yards was followed by an 18 yard run by Trejo as Alliance got close. The drive came to a close with another Alliance fumble that denied the Bulldogs points.
From the 29 yard line, the Panther offense went to work. Nice defensive plays by Stoike and Lucas Weber would slow down the drive but a big 30 yard pass play by the guests got the Panthers in striking distance. With 2:22 showing on the clock, Hershey recorded their second score of the game with a 9 yard touchdown run. The pat was no good. The period closed with the Dogs down 14 to 0.
An incomplete pass by Alliance on fourth down stopped the Bulldogs opening drive of the fourth quarter. Starting midfield, the Panthers went into their bag of tricks to get close. A reverse play covering 40 yards set up Hershey third score. With under 10 minutes remaining, the Panthers culminated the series with 9 yard touchdown run. The extra point was good as the Dogs saw their deficit grow to 22 to 0. Lanik gave the Alliance offense a chance with a strong kick return on the ensuing play. Another big by Trejo got the ball to the 20 yard line but the Panther defense remained strong as Alliance turned the ball over on downs. Hershey put the game away then with 66 yard touchdown run that put the score at 28 to 0 with 6:30 left in the contest. A 20 yard reception by Carson Swenson helped Alliance advance to midfield but a couple of incomplete passes by Alliance left the hosts scoreless. The game ended with both teams having one more possessions but no more score. Final Hershey 28 Alliance 0
HER 0 8 6 14 28
ALL 0 0 0 0 0
Stats. Alliance rushed the ball 45 times for 274 yards. Passing 61 yards. Trejo 30 attempts 202 yards. Robertson 8 carries 31 yards. Herian 7 tries 41 yards Passing Herian completed 8 passes. Lanik 4 grabs for 34 yards. Jori Matulka 2 catches 9 yards Swenson one catch 20 yards Trejo one catch 4 yards
Alliance goes to Chase County on Friday