While the United South Central Rebels were leading 12-6 at the end of the first half of their homecoming football game on Friday night, Sept. 2, they ended up losing 21-18 to the Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons Knights.

The Rebels had their quarterback, Nick Bushlack, leave the game due to an apparent hip injury, in the closing minutes of the first half.

The Rebels led 12-0 at the end of the first quarter and 12-6 at the half. There was no scoring by either team in the third quarter but the Knights outscored the Rebels 15-6 in the final quarter.

The Rebels scored touchdowns on both of their first two possessions of the game.

The first one came on a 10-play, 42-yard drive.

Bushlack handed the ball off to Johnny Martinez who scored on a five-yard run into the endzone. Blake Bullerman attempted a pass for the two-point conversion, but it was incomplete.

The second one was a five-play, 39-yard drive. Bullerman scored on a five-yard run. Bushlack’s pass for an extra point try was incomplete.

The Rebels led 12-0 at the end of one quarter. The Knights scored a touchdown in the second quarter.

After no scoring in the third, Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons scored a touchdown again in the fourth quarter and the extra point was good. The score was 13-12 in favor of the Knights.

The Rebels responded with a touchdown of their own. Martinez recovered a Knight’s fumble and scored a touchdown. Once again, the try for extra point failed, but the Rebels had regained the lead, 18-13.

Unfortunately, the Knights scored one last touchdown, with a two-point conversion, and won the game 21-18.

The two teams tied in total offense, with 149 yards each. AC/GE had 157 yards passing but lost eight yards rushing. The Rebels only had 30 yards passing, but had 119 yards rushing.

Bushlack was 2 for 4 passing for 19 yards, and Aiden Crabtree was 1 for 5 for 11 yards.

Bullerman led the ground game with 65 yards on 14 carries. Martinez had 44 yards on seven totes. Bushlack gained 14 yards on six attempts.

Martinez had two catches for 18 yards and Nathan Clore had one reception for 12 yards.

Bullerman led the team with 18 tackles, Nathan Mutschler had eight and Byron Getchell six.

Next up for the Rebels was a game on Friday night, Sept. 30 against Cleveland. This week USC will play on Saturday, Oct. 8, against Mayer Lutheran.