Alden-Conger got its third shutout of the season at home Friday in a 28-0 win over Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther in Alden.

The Knights (3-2, 3-2 SMC) haven’t had any trouble defending their home turf as the defense has led the way early on.

Alden-Conger held the Mustangs to just 109 yards of total offense and the Knight offense rebounded after a disastrous 37-14 loss against Hills-Beaver Creek last week.

Brandon McTague rushed for 122 yards on 19 carries and scored the first two touchdowns of the game for Alden-Conger.

Max Keller scored with 14 seconds left in the first half on a 7-yard pass from Lucas Kleinschrodt to give the Knights a 22-0 lead.

Travis Marth added a 52-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“This week I think the big difference was we had Derek Thostenson back,” said Alden-Conger head coach Chad Mattson. “He was a big help to us as far as getting the linebackers going again.”

Thostenson returned from a dislocated shoulder, which forced him to miss last week’s game in Hills.

The Knights face Nicollet (4-1, 4-1 SMC) next Friday in Nicollet. The Raiders knocked off Hills-Beaver Creak 28-8 Friday.

“It’s going to be a battle,” Mattson said. “If we show up to play we should be all right.”

Alden-Conger 28, Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther 0

GHEC/ML 0 0 0 0 —  0

Alden-Conger 8 14 0 6 — 28

First Quarter

AC—McTague 34 run (Majerus from Kleinschrodt).

Second Quarter

AC—McTague 18 run (run failed).

AC—Keller 7 pass from Kleinschrodt (Reyerson from Kleinschrodt), :14.

Fourth Quarter

AC—Marth 52 run (pass failed).

GHEC/ML AC

First downs NA 11

Total Net Yards 109 283

Rushes-yards NA-52 48-236

Passing 57 47

Punt Returns 4-NA 4-18

Kickoff Returns 5-NA 1-16

Interceptions-Ret. 0-0 1-NA

Comp-Att-Int NA 6-12-0

Sacked-Yards Lost 2-NA 2-(minus 16)

Punts 4-NA 6-36.8

Fumbles-Lost 5-1 1-0

Penalties-Yards 5-45 3-10

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Alden-Conger, McTague 19-122, Bernal 12-35, Keller 7-43, Marth 1-52, Kleinschrodt 5-(minus 18).

PASSING—Alden-Conger, Kleinschrodt 6-12-0-47.

RECEIVING—Alden-Conger, McTague 3-34, Keller 1-7, Majerus 1-2, Reyerson 1-2.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.