It was a heart-stopping homecoming game for Alden-Conger against Nicollet Friday night in Alden as the Knights knocked off the Raiders 34-32 in double overtime.

Alden-Conger (4-2, 4-2) sealed the victory when Brad Ferree intercepted a pass on Nicollet’s two-point conversion play to end the game.

The Knights and fans collectively breathed a sigh of relief after that because the game was closer than it should have.

Alden-Conger jumped out to an early 20-0 lead in the first half, due in large to its ground game. E.J. Knight led the Knights with 232 yards and McTague came through for 162 yards and two touchdowns.

Lucas Kleinschrodt scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime, punching it in from one yard out and Knight, as he had done all night, ran in the two-point conversion. Mattson described Knight’s run as the hardest two-point conversion he’s seen and that Knight just barely snuck the football inside the pylon.

Alden-Conger head coach Chad Mattson said it was a big win after a disappointing loss to Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain the week before.

Alden-Conger rushed for 448 yards on the night, but turned the ball over four times inside the 20, allowing Nicollet to climb back into the game after the Knights had built a 20-0 lead in the second quarter.

The Raiders struck quickly in the second half when Jordan Rudenick connected with Dylan Hardel on a 67-yard touchdown pass to make the game 20-7. Nicollet made it 20-14 later in the quarter when Rudenick broke off a 73-yard run.

In the second half the Raiders added a touchdown in the third quarter on a 4-yard run by Hardel that tied the game at 20-20.

A-C 34, Nicollet 32, 2 OT

A-C – 6 14 0 0 6 8 – 34

Nicollet – 0 14 6 0 6 6 – 32

First Quarter

A-C – Lucas Kleinschrodt 5 run (conversation failed)

Second Quarter

A-C – Brandon McTague 74 run (E.J. Knight run)

A-C – McTague 4 run (conversation failed)

Nicollet – Dylan Hardel 67 pass from Jordan Rudenick (kick good)

Nicollet – Rudenick 73 run (kick good)

Third Quarter

Nicollet 7 run No. 4 (kick blocked)

Fourth Quarter

No scoring

OT

Nicollet – 10 pass No. 7 to No. 12 (kick failed)

A-C – Kleinschrodt 10 run (conversion failed)

2OT

A-C – Kleinschrodt 1 run (E.J. Knight run)

Nicollet – Hardel 10 pass from Rudenick (Brad Ferree interception)