GOTHENBURG - The Sidney Red Raiders improved to 5-0 on the season after a hard-fought 21-10 victory over the Gothenburg Swedes, handing the Swedes their third straight loss. It was Sidney's second road game of the season, and they once again displayed a stingy defense, after posting back-to-back shutouts the past two weeks.

Sidney deferred to the second half and immediately set the tone, forcing a three-and-out on Gothenburg’s opening possession. A booming 58-yard punt by Gothenburg pinned Sidney at their own 7-yard line. However, the Red Raiders wasted no time moving downfield. On Sidney’s fifth play, quarterback Alek Doty connected with tight end Patrick McCartney on a 66-yard touchdown pass, putting Sidney up 7-0.

Gothenburg responded quickly. Quarterback Landon Mroczek broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run, tying the game 7-7 on the Swedes' next possession. After an exchange of punts, Gothenburg drove 66 yards down to the Sidney 4-yard line, but their drive stalled. Kicker Callen Johnson booted a 21-yard field goal, giving Gothenburg a 10-7 lead.

Sidney answered with a 76-yard drive in just seven plays, capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Doty to tight end Keian Kaiser, regaining the lead 14-10 just before halftime.

The Red Raiders opened the second half with a clock-draining 80-yard touchdown drive, which took six minutes off the clock. Doty capped it off with a 33-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 21-10.

Sidney's offense dominated the second half, controlling the ball for over 20 minutes on three possessions, and their defense shut down Gothenburg the rest of the way. Doty finished the game completing 8 of 16 passes for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Running back Owen Gillham contributed 87 yards on 19 carries.

With the win, Sidney remains undefeated, and they will return home next Friday to face the Ogallala Indians, who are 1-4 after a 34-14 loss to Chadron. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Weymouth Field.