Alliance limited Chaney’s
run-oriented offense to 11 first-half yards.

By RYAN JONES

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

ALLIANCE — Alliance High football coach Ron Kuceyeski can empathize with Chaney and the rebuilding process it’s going through because just a few years ago the Aviators found themselves in a similar situation.

Friday, the Cowboys and coach John Protopapa were handed more bumps and bruises as Alliance (2-0) rolled to a 23-0 victory.

The Aviators’ stout defense limited Chaney’s run-oriented offense to 11 first-half yards.

Kuceyeski said his assistant coaches came up with a 5-6 defense that put 11 men in the box to stop Chaney’s ground attack.

Strategy

“We focused on challenging them at the point of attack,” Kuceyeski said.

“I thought we did a good job shutting down the option and blast play. We wanted to force them to pass because they aren’t as comfortable doing that.”

Protopapa said even though the Alliance defense was quicker than he anticipated, six fumbles deflated his offense.

“I thought we were going to be able to get to the edge with some sweeps and tosses,” Protopapa said. “We had two things against us: They were more physical and we couldn’t hold onto the ball.

“When one of those things isn’t in your favor, you’re going to struggle, but when both go against you it’s going to be a long night.”

Alliance’s wing-T offense, not known for its aerial prowess, rolled up 213 yards passing and featured stellar play from two quarterbacks.

Two quarterbacks

Senior Jordan Merrell (4-7 for 122 yards) and junior Logan Nordquist (3-3 for 91 yards) both threw touchdown passes in the first quarter.

Following a safety that put Alliance up 2-0, Nordquist connected with split end Jon Andrews on a fade route from 10 yards out.

Merrell took over on the next offensive possession and capped off the drive with a 36-yard touchdown toss to sophomore Nick Holly to give Alliance a 16-0 lead.

The Cowboys defense shut down the Aviators offense in the second half, and had a chance to avoid being shutout when Alliance punter Mark Pinter inadvertently kneeled at his own 10-yard line as he tried to handle a low snap.

However, tailback Bobby Hayes was stripped at the 2-yard line by Eddie Metcalf and the ball rolled out the back of the end zone for a touchback.

Better second half

“We were more into it in the second half,” Protopapa said. “We fired off the ball harder and ran the ball a bit better. Some of our kids played better, but as a team we weren’t any better than last week. I told the guys if you take last week’s first half and this week’s second half you have a pretty good game.”

Dontrelle Echols was Chaney’s leading rusher with 40 yards on 10 carries.

Holly led Alliance with 75 yards rushing on 18 attempts. He also had four catches for 97 yards and a touchdown.

The Aviators’ inconsistency was a function of the 95 yards in penalties they accrued — they had a touchdown pass and an interception called back in the second half.