The defense has been the backbone of the Alden-Conger football team this season and once again its play was instrumental in the Knights picking up a 26-8 victory over Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton in their regular season finale in Alden.

Alden-Conger (4-4, 4-4 SMC) had shutout every opponent at home this season in three games and while the Knights allowed the first points of the season at home to an opponent, the defense also forced two turnovers and returned an interception for a touchdown.

It was slow-going in the first half for Alden-Conger as it trailed the Bulldogs (4-4, 4-4 SMC) 8-0 at half, but after Brandon McTague tied the game with a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, Travis Marth intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards to paydirt to give the Knights the lead.

“It was a pick-me-up that we needed,” said Alden-Conger head coach Chad Mattson, whose team had lost three of its last four games.

McTague rushed for 152 yards and three touchdowns, including a 28-yard and 46-yard run in the fourth quarter to help the Knights enter the section playoffs with some confidence.

The playoffs begin next Tuesday.

Alden-Conger 26, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 8

JWP 0 8 0 0 —  8

AC 0 0 14 12 — 26

Second Quarter

JWP—Kopachek 28 pass from Morton (Eustice from Morton)

Third Quarter

AC—McTague 1 run (Keller run).

AC—Marth 37 interception return (run failed).

Fourth Quarter

AC—McTague 28 run (run failed).

AC—McTague 46 run (kick failed).

JWP AC

First downs NA 13

Total Net Yards NA 325

Rushes-Yards NA 56-296

Passing NA 29

Punt Returns NA 2-11

Punts NA 2-39

Kickoff Returns NA 2-56

Interceptions-Ret. NA 2-53

Comp-Att-Int NA 4-12-0

Sacked-Yard lost NA 2-14

Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0

Penalties-Yards NA 6-55

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Alden-Conger, McTague 18-152, Kleinschrodt 8-46, Bernal 17-64, Keller 7-26, Marth 2-5, Reyerson 4-3.

PASSING—Alden-Conger, Kleinschrodt 4-12-0-29.

RECEIVING—Alden-Conger, Bernal 1-14, Marth 2-9, Majerus 1-6.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.