A poor week in practice led to a poor performance on the field Friday for the Alden-Conger football team against Hills-Beaver Creek/Ellsworth in Hills.

The Knights (2-2, 2-2 SMC) were handed a 37-14 loss against the Patriots (2-2, 2-2 SMC) in a game that seemed to favor Alden-Conger heading in.

“We knew they were quick and they were going to be a tough team, but we didn’t expect it to go quite this bad,” said Knights head coach Chad Mattson.

Alden-Conger fell behind 24-8 after the first half and spent the entire second half trying to catch up. It didn’t work and instead results in five interceptions for the game for the Knights.

Colton Bass scored three touchdowns for Hills-Beaver Creek/Ellsworth in the win.

Alden-Conger scored on its first possession of the game when quarterback Lucas Kleinschrodt hit Max Keller for a 6-yard touchdown pass, but it would be the only time the Knights would lead in the game.

The Patriots intercepted Kleinschrodt on Alden-Conger’s next possession and used it to tie the game with a Bass run from 4 yards out.

“We just weren’t with it,” Mattson said. “It was probably one of the worst football games I’ve probably been a part of as far as attitude-wise and effort.”

The Knights will have a chance to rebound next Friday against Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther in Alden.

Hills-Beaver Creek/Ellsworth 37,

Alden-Conger 14

Alden-Conger 8 0 0 6 — 14

Hills-Beaver Creek 8 16 13 0 — 37

First Quarter

AC—Keller 6 pass from Kleinschrodt (McTague run).

HBC— Bass 4 run (Bass run).

Second Quarter

HBC—Scholten 13 pass Larson (Larson run).

HBC—Bass 20 run (Scholten from Larson).

Third Quarter

HBC—Leuthold 1 run (No. 10 kick)

HBC—Bass 5 run (kick failed)

Fourth Quarter

AC—McTague 3 run (pass failed)

AC HBC

First Downs 13 15

Total Net Yards 256 NA

Rushes-yards 25-129 NA

Passing 127 NA

Punt Returns 1-3 2-0

Kickoff Returns 6-92 3-20

Interception Ret. 0-0 5-NA

Comp-Att-Int 14-38-5 NA

Sacked-Yards Lost 1-(minus 10) 3-(minus 12)

Punts 2-33 2-77

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-0

Penalties-Yards 2-10 3-16

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Alden-Conger, McTague 14-87, Bernal 10-40, Keller 1-2. Hills-Beaver Creek, .

PASSING—Alden-Conger, Kleinschrodt 14-38-5-127.

RECEIVING—Alden-Conger, Keller 6-41, Reyerson 3-46, Majerus 2-18, Bernal 1-16, Marth 1-8. Hills-Beaver Creek

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.