SPRING GROVE &045; Ryan Wach’s rushing numbers were just about the only thing bigger than the final score in Alden-Conger’s 46-44 loss to Spring Grove.

Wach rushed for 240 yards and five touchdowns, but it was not enough for the Knights who saw a 22-8 second quarter lead slip away largely because of defensive and special teams mistakes that kept the Lions in the game.

Wach got his night off to an impressive start scoring his first two touchdowns on runs of 20 and 35 yards before tacking on one more before halftime to account for all 22 Knights’ points.

&uot;That is our game (running the ball) and that is what we expect to do,&uot; said Alden-Conger head coach Chad Mattson.

&uot;But we just had some breakdowns on special teams in the second quarter that really cost us.&uot;

Those mistakes came in the form of a punt and kickoff return for touchdowns that turned the 14 point A-C lead into a two point halftime deficit.

The Knights would tie the game at 30 heading into the fourth quarter on a Wach 5-yard scoring scamper, but the defense could not tame the Lions’ offense.

Wach and Alex Bute both had touchdowns in the fourth quarter, however, the Knights were unable to get the ball back in the final minutes to try to mount one final scoring drive.

&uot;There is no question that we have work to do on the defensive side of the ball and on special teams, but I was very pleased with the offense,&uot; said Mattson.

&uot;Now it is just a matter of putting it all together to be successful.&uot;

Bute finished with 54 yards on the ground and 23 in the air with one touchdown and an interception.

He also went 3-for-5 through the air for 23 yards and one interception.

The Knights may have hurt themselves giving up big plays, but they did not have too many mental mistakes being whistled for just two penalties in the game.

Josh Cords led the defense with 15 assisted tackles and three solos, while Derek Pedersen had six assisted and four solo.

The Knights will be back in action next week when they welcome Houston to Alden.

Spring Grove 46, Alden-Conger 44

A-C814616 &045; 44

SG8166 16 &045; 46

First Quarter

A-C &045;&160;Ryan Wach 20 run (Wach conversion)

Second Quarter

A-C &045; Wach 35 run (Failed conversion)

A-C- Wach 6 run (Wach conversion)

Third Quarter

A-C &045;&160;Wach 5 run (Failed conversion)

Fourth Quarter

A-C &045; Alex Bute 4 run (Wach run)

A-C &045; Wach 3 run (Wach run)

A-C

First Downs16

Rush Yards327

Passing23

Total350

Penalties2-30

Turnovers1

Individual Statistics

Rushing &045; Ryan Wach 28-240; 5 TD, Alex Bute 9 -54

Passing &045;&160;Bute 3-5 23 yards; 1 INT

Receiving &045; Wach 2-13, Anthony Whittmer 1-10