Trailing 21-20 with 1 minute, 46 seconds to play, the Alden-Conger football team engineered a game-winning drive against Mabel-Canton in a 28-21 victory in Mabel.

The fifth-seeded Knights (5-4) had one timeout and needed a fourth-and-11 conversion and a second effort from fullback Brandon McTague with 24 seconds left to seal their opening round victory over the fourth seeded Cougars (5-4).

“One of the most exciting games I’ve ever been involved in,” said Alden-Conger head coach Chad Mattson.

Mabel-Canton was up 21-20 and threatening to score from the Knights’ 3-yard line when Lucas Kleinschrodt intercepted a pass in the end zone to give Alden-Conger new life.

From there Kleinschrodt led the Knights on an 80-yard drive. On fourth-and-11 Kleinschrodt scrambled from the pocket and found an open Max Keller for a first down. A few plays later McTague, who finished with 140 yards on eight carries, ran in from a yard out on a second effort to give Alden-Conger the victory.

“It was very evenly matched and we happened to come out on top,” Mattson said.

The Cougars entered the game on the heels of a victory over Houston in the regular season finale, but Mattson and the Knights were prepared for Mabel-Canton.

Alden-Conger put in some spread formation plays to attack the zone coverage of the Cougars and it worked to success. Kleinschrodt finished 16 of 30 for 144 yards and one touchdown and the passing game opened up the running game.

McTague broke free on identical 56-yard touchdown runs in the first and third quarter and Kleinschrodt found Cam Majerus for a 10-yard touchdown pass in the third.

The Knights move on to face the No. 1 seed Grand Meadow Saturday in Grand Meadow.

Alden-Conger 28, Mabel-Canton 21

Alden-Conger 6 0 14 8 — 28

Mabel-Canton 6 0 7 8 — 21

First Quarter

MC—Stoen 4 run (kick failed).

AC—McTague 56 run (pass failed).

Third Quarter

AC—McTague 56 run (run failed).

MC—Stoen 3 run (Otterness kick).

AC—Majerus 10 pass from Kleinschrodt (Majerus from Kleinschrodt).

Fourth Quarter

MC—Stoen 3 run (Stoen run).

AC—McTague 1 run (Marth from Kleinschrodt).

AC MC

First downs 10 14

Total Net Yards 356 320

Rushes-Yards 25-212 302

Passing 144 18

Punt Returns 4-33 NA

Punts 4-32.7 NA

Kickoff Returns 4-79 NA

Interceptions-Ret. 1-0 NA

Comp-Att-Int 16-30-1 NA

Sacked-Yard lost 1-(minus 6) NA

Fumbles-Lost 1-1 NA

Penalties-Yards 1-5 NA

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Alden-Conger, McTague 8-140, Bernal 7-4, Kleinschrodt 6-58, Keller 3-9, Marth 1-1.

PASSING—Alden-Conger, Kleinschrodt 16-30-144-1-1.

RECEIVING—Alden-Conger, Marth 4-28, McTague 6-46, Majerus 2-13, Keller 4-57.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.