Knights defense keeps Raiders out of end zone

ALDEN —  The Alden-Conger/Glenville Emmons football team won its first game on the team’s new field Friday night with a statement win over Nicollet. The Knights defense was the star of the game as it beat the Raiders, 20-0.

It was a battle of the defenses for much of the first half. Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons was the only team to score, and its defense showed strong determination in multiple possessions in the first half.

The only score in the half was via a one-yard run from senior quarterback Kaleb Bendickson, with just over a minute left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing possession, AC/GE’s junior safety Ryan Hansen intercepted a Nicollet pass, putting the Knights in favorable field position. However, they were unable to capitalize and turned the ball over on downs.

After a costly fumble by the Knights, the Raiders were in good position to even the score. But the Knights defense would hold strong inside their own 20-yard line, forcing a turnover on downs.

It seemed as if the Knights would go up by another touchdown, marching down the field with under two minutes to play. However, Nicollet junior Anthony Macias would intercept a pass and return it nearly 65 yards, putting Nicollet 16 yards away from tying the game with 30 seconds left in the half.

Once again, the Knights defense would shut that opportunity down quickly. The Raiders gained zero yards and the game went to halftime with the Knights on top, 7-0.

The Knights would expand their lead six minutes into the third quarter. A deep 54-yard pass from Bendickson to senior tight end Gavin Steele put the Knights up 14-0.

Nicollet was able to put together a nice drive on its next possession, but was once again thwarted by the AC/GE defense inside of the 15-yard line.

The Knights would begin to take complete control of the game in the fourth quarter. An 84-yard interception return for a touchdown by senior Dalton Bradley put the Knights up 20-0 with two minutes remaining in the game.

AC/GE moves to 1-1 on the season and will look to continue its winning ways Friday at home against GHEC-Truman.