The Alden-Conger football team started the season strongly with a 28-0 win over Madelia Friday in Alden.

The Knights (1-0) rushed for 303 yards with Michael Bernal leading the way with 175 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns in his first appearance as the team’s starting running back.

“He ran the ball hard,” said Alden-Conger head coach Chad Mattson. “He never really broke a big one. We kind of said, ‘You’re going to get a lot of carries’ and he handled it well.”

Brandon McTague and Michael Reyerson each scored on short touchdown runs in the second half to give Alden-Conger its first win of the season.

The Knights’ defense came up with four sacks and two fumble recoveries as its play up front was a difference-maker. Spencer Niebuhr led the Knights with 11 tackles.

The defense held Madelia to just 145 yards of total offense.

Alden-Conger’s starting quarterback Lucas Kleinschrodt is still recovering from a knee injury and is available to return next week, but Mattson said he will likely keep him out an extra week.

The Knights face Westbrook-Walnut Grove next Friday on the road.

Alden-Conger 28, Madelia 0

Madelia 0 0 0 0 — 0

Alden-Conger 6 8 8 6 — 28

First Quarter

AC — Bernal 13 run (run failed).

Second Quarter

AC — Bernal 2 run (Marth run).

Third Quarter

AC — McTague 3 run (Bernal run).

Fourth Quarter

AC — Reyerson 2 run (kick failed).

M AC

First Downs 6 15

Total Net Yards 145 342

Rushes-yards 32-4 53-303

Passing 141 38

Punt Returns NA NA

Kickoff Returns NA NA

Interception Ret. 0-0 0-0

Comp.-Att-Int 6-11-0 3-7-0

Sacked-Yards Lost 4-NA NA

Punts 5-NA 1-32

Fumbles-lost 2-2 2-2

Penalties-Yards 9-95 3-41

Time of Possession NA NA

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — AC, Bernal 31-175, McTague 4-41, Marth 6-37, Tony Behnke 7-33, Reyerson 5-17.

PASSING — M, Bestick 6-11-0-141. AC, Reyerson 3-7-0-38

RECIVING — M, Peterson 4-111. AC, Bernal 1-17, McTague 1-12, Keller 1-9.

MISSED FIELD GOALS — None.