SIDNEY – A unyielding defense and a proficient offense spelled disaster for the Alliance Bulldogs on a cool, damp Friday night at Sidney’s Weymouth Field. The Red Raiders scored in all three phases of the game on the way to a 48-14, C1-7 District win to improve to 8-0 on the season. Sidney’s defense did not allow the Bulldogs a first down on their first seven possessions, while intercepting three Alliance passes and returning two of them for touchdowns.

After deferring to their option to the second half, Sidney held Alliance to minus one yard on the Bulldogs initial possession. Sidney, who had the benefit of positive field position most of the night, started their first drive at the Bulldog 33 after a 10-yard Alliance punt into the wind. The Red Raiders’ nine-play touchdown drive culminated in a one-yard run by quarterback Alek Doty to put Sidney up 7-0.

Alliance’s second possession resulted in a loss of two yards forcing another punt, this one sailing 22 yards to the Bulldog 40. That’s where Sidney started their only unsuccessful drive of the first half. Facing a fourth and one, Alek Doty was tackled for no gain by linebacker Nason Thompson and Sidney gave the ball back to Alliance at the Bulldog 31.

The Bulldogs lost six yards on their first two plays but gained fourteen yards on a third down screen pass from freshmen quarterback Jay Shelmadine to sophomore running back Trini Trejo. But was forced to punt for the third straight possession. Sidney started their third possession at their own 41 after a 20-yard Alliance punt. From there, it didn’t take the Red Raiders long. A jet-sweep by Reed Fiscus netted 14 yards to the Bulldog 45 yard line. On the next play, Doty rolled right and found Patrick McCartney with a 10-yard pass that the senior tight end took up the right sideline for a 45-yard touchdown to extend the Red Raider lead to 14-0.

That’s when the wheels started to fall off of the Bulldog wagon. On the third play of Alliance’s subsequent possession, Reid Fiscus stepped in front of a Shelmadine pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown. Sidney now led 21-0 with 42 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The second quarter wasn’t any better for the Bulldogs. With Alliance facing third and 11 at their own 29, Reid Fiscus picked off his second Shelmadine pass of the night at the Sidney 40. The Red Raiders drove to the Alliance 13 in eight plays. Facing fourth and five, Doty rolled to his left and found his other tight end, Keian Kaiser, in the endzone for Sidney’s fourth touchdown of the first half to extend the Red Raider lead to 28-0.

The wheel came completely off on Alliances next play from scrimmage. Following an Espen Lanik kickoff return to the Bulldog 22, Sidney cornerback Landon Riddle stepped in front of a Shelmadine pass at the 30 yard line and returned it for Sidney’s second pick-six of the night. The Red Raiders’ lead had now grown to 35-0 with 8:02 remaining in the first half.

Alliance’s next possession ended in another three downs and out. A 30-yard Bulldog punt was returned 23 yards by Landon Riddle to the Sidney 39. The Red Raiders drove to the Alliance 23 in three plays. Doty took matters into his own hands and ran around right end for the touchdown. The PAT was missed but Sidney’s lead had grown to 41-0.

Alliance finally picked up their initial first down on their eighth possession with 2:15 remaining in the first half. Time expired on the Bulldog drive at the Sidney 28 ending the half.

The second half began with a running clock. Sidney, who deferred to the second half, received the second-half kickoff. Junior Lance Holly received the kick at the Sidney 21 and took it down the left sideline for a touchdown. Sidney now led 48-0.

Alliances next drive ended in a third Reid Fiscus interception at the Sidney 5. With Sidney’s starters on the sideline, the Bulldogs got on the board late in the third quarter and again as time expired in the game to make the final score Sidney 48, Alliance 14.

Alek Doty finished the night completing 10 of his 14 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. The junior also rushed seven times for 47 yards and two scores. Owen Gillham had 11 carries for 67 yards. Sidney ended with 328 total yards. Jay Shelmadine completed five of 11 passes for 28 yards with four interceptions. Trini Trejo led the Bulldogs rushing attack with 73 yards on 18 carries. Alliance finished the night with 180 total yards.

Sidney improves to 8-0 and will travel to Chadron next Friday to face the 7-1 Cardinals for the C1-7 District title. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.