Old rivals Alliance and Gering met Friday night in Gering in the battle of the Bulldogs. It was 2021 when the 2 schools met last and Gering was victorious that time. The result was the same again on Friday with the hosts downing Alliance 47 to 12. Gering raced to a 20 to 0 halftime lead and slowly pulled away for the victory. With the win, Gering improves to 3 and 0 for the year while Alliance falls to 1 and 2. Scoring for Alliance were receiver Carson Swenson and running back Trini Trejo.
A nice 14 yard run by Trejo on Alliance’s first series began the action. Unfortunately, the drive would stall and the Dogs were forced to punt. Disaster then struck for Alliance as the snap sailed over the punter’s head and was recovered in the end zone by Gering. The PAT was good and with 10:57 showing on the clock the hosts led 7 to 0. On Alliance’s next possession the Gering defense was solid and the A Dogs went three and out. Starting at midfield, Gering used a combination of short passes and tough runs to get close. A quick slant pass by Gering from the 25 yard line was good for the contest’s second score. At the 1:39 mark of the opening quarter, Alliance was down 14 to 0. The period ended with another punt by Alliance with the A Dogs behind by 14.
Tackles for loss by Alliance’s Cole Stoike and Caysen Robertson would deny any Gering points of their first attempt in the second period as Gering was turned away. A big 19 yard pass from quarterback Jett Herian to receiver Espen Lanik gave Alliance a chance on their next series. The drive then would stall and the Bulldogs punted the ball back to Gering. Once again the Alliance defense was strong as the hosts punted the ball back to the guests. At the 8 minute mark, Alliance had to punt and the kick was return for another Gering touchdown. The play covered 55 yards and put the score at 20 to 0. Both teams would have one more opportunity in the half but were turned away. A sack by Alliance’s Chano Montes foiled Gering last chance and the teams went to half with Alliance down 20 to 0.
Gering wasted little time to get on the scoreboard in the opening minutes of the second half. Starting at midfield, the hosts took just 3 plays to increase their margin. A five yard pass was good for the G Dogs’ third score. Alliance’s defensive linemen Luke Weems and Lucas Weber would storm in to block the PAT attempt. With 10:31 remaining in the period, Gering was up 26 to 0. On Alliance’s first series of the quarter, a fourth down run was stopped as the Bulldogs turned the ball over of downs. Gering continued their fine offensive play in the Bulldogs next series. Starting from the 38 yard line, it would take the hosts just 6 plays to get into the scoring column. An 8 yard touchdown run put Gering ahead 32 to 0 with 6 minutes left in the period. A strong kick return by Lanik gave Alliance hope of the ensuing the drive but a Gering interception kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard. With 4:32 showing on the clock, Gering scored again on a 5 yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good, making the score 40 to 0 in favor of Gering. The period closed with another punt by Alliance and the Dogs down by 40.
In the final 12 minutes, Gering added to their lead with another 5 yard score that put the hosts up 47 to 0. Alliance responded with their first scoring drive. Starting from the 33 the A Dogs got on the board with a 59 yard td pass from Herian to Carson Swenson which put the score at 47 to 6 with 8 minutes left in the contest. Gering would go three and out on their series as Alliance would get the ball at midfield. A couple of good carries by Trejo got the Bulldogs close. From the 24 yard line, Trejo culminated the drive by scoring the Bulldogs’ second touchdown. The PAT was no good and with 3 minutes remaining the score stood at 47 to 12. Gering was then able to run out the clock and go on for the win.
ALL 0 0 0 12 12
GER 14 6 20 7 47
Stats had Alliance rushing the ball 31 times for 126 yards Trejo led the Bulldogs in rushing, finishing the night with 22 carries for 114 yards and one score Herian completed 3 passes for 86 yards and one score Lanik 2 catches for 27 yards Swenson 1 grab for 59 yards and 1 td
Alliance will host Hershey on Thursday.