Twenty eight unanswered points powered the Alliance Bulldog football team past Gordon/Rushville 28 to 15 in the opener on Friday. In a contest played in Alliance, the Dogs fell behind 7 to 0 before responding with 28 straight to gain the win. Alliance starts the second 1 and O while the Mustangs drop to 0 and 1. Sophomore running back Trini Trejo led the Bulldog offense with 3 touchdowns while Junior quarterback Jett Herian completed 10 passes.
Trejo nice game began with a 30 yard kick return that gave the Dogs good field position on the game’s opening drive. A Gordon interception stopped the drive midway through the first quarter. On the Mustangs first series the guests recorded a first down but were forced to punt. This was the same result for Alliance on their drive. The Dogs got a first down but were forced to punt as well.
It was then the Bulldog defense that shined. Facing a third down, a sack by Alliance’s Chano Montes denied Gordon a first down.
The Dog offense would then put a nice series of plays in their try. Solid runs by Trejo and freshman Caysen Robertson got Alliance close. Unfortunately another pick by Gordon denied points for Alliance. The game’s first score quickly came after that as a 85 yard touchdown pass was completed by the visitors. Gordon added the extra point and with 2:13 showing on the clock in the first quarter the Bulldogs trailed 7 to 0. The period would end with the Dog offense getting a good kick return by Espen Lanik and a 16 yard pass completion to Devan Graham. After 12 minutes of action, the Mustangs led 7 to 0.
Strong efforts by both defense kept the game scoreless for most of the second period. An interception by Herian would deny any Mustang points early in the quarter. On Alliance’s next 2 possessions the Dogs drove deep into Gordon territory but were stopped on two fourth down attempts. The hosts finally got on the scoreboard late in the half. Beginning at midfield, a pair of big runs by Herian got the Dogs close. Trejo capped off the drive by scoring from the 2 yard line with 21 seconds left in the half. A reception by Lanik was good for the 2 point extra conversion and the teams went to half with Alliance up 8 to 7.
A fumble recovered by Alliance’s Canon Pfeifer on the second half kickoff set the Dogs up for their second score. Runs by Trejo and a penalty by Gordon put the ball inside the 10 yard line. At 11 minute mark, Trejo culminated the drive by scoring from the 4 yard line. The PAT was no good and the game continued with the Bulldogs out in front 14 to 7. Both teams were turned away on their possessions. A pass break up on a Mustang pass by Herian kept the guests from scoring. Later in the period, Alliance found the end zone. Herian connected with Lanik for 38 yard pass reception for the Dog’s third score.
The play of the drive came earlier as Herian gain 8 yards on a fourth and 6 attempt. With 4:03 left in the third, Alliance increased its advantage. Robertson added the point after on a reception from Herian that put the score at 22 to 7.
Both teams had chances in the fourth but were turned away. Half way thru the final quarter the Alliance offense finally got a successful drive together. Once again it was Trejo doing most of the damage. A 45 yard run by the Bulldog back got Alliance close.
From the one yard line Trejo finished the series with his third touchdown that put the Dogs ahead 28 to 7 with 3 minutes left in the contest. Gordon then made things interesting on their final possession. The Mustangs used 2 long passes to drive deep into Alliance territory. A four yard td run with 1:53 on the clock sliced the Mustang deficit to 13 following a successful pat attempt. The contest came to end with the Bulldogs running 3 plays and burning the final seconds off the clock. Final Alliance 28. Gordon/Rushville 15
GR. 7. 0. 0. 8. 15
ALL. 0. 8. 14. 6. 28
Final stats had Alliance rushing the ball 65 times for 312 yards. Trejo finished with 216 yards on 43 carries and 3 touchdowns. Herian ran the ball 12 times for 53 yards while Robertson ended with 43 yards on 10 tries. In the air Herian completed 10 passes for 117 yards with one touchdown. Lanik closed with 6 catches for 81 yards and a score.
Alliance goes to Holdrege on Friday with a game with the Dusters.
(Photos by Shaun Friedrichsen)