SIDNEY – In a top-10 Class C1 matchup at Weymouth Field, the fifth-ranked Sidney Red Raiders rode a ball-hawking defense and timely plays to a 21-6 victory over No. 10 Gothenburg on Friday night.

Both teams entered the contest unbeaten at 4-0, but it was Sidney’s ability to capitalize on Swede turnovers that proved decisive. All four of the game’s touchdowns came directly after turnovers, with Sidney intercepting Gothenburg quarterback Landon Mroczek four times and recovering a fumble.

After both teams punted on their first two possessions, Sidney drew first blood when defensive tackle Zech Roggasch recovered a fumbled pitch at the Gothenburg 12. Two plays later, quarterback Alek Doty cut inside from six yards out for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Just moments later, Sidney cornerback Lance Holly intercepted a pass and returned it 54 yards for a pick-six, doubling the Red Raider advantage to 14-0.

The Swedes found life after recovering a Doty fumble at the Sidney 16. Evan Johnson capped the short drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, but Sidney’s Rhys Dorcey blocked the extra point to keep the lead at 14-6.

Sidney threatened again late in the half but came up empty on downs, then picked off Mroczek again to close the half ahead by eight.

Gothenburg opened the second half with another takeaway, picking off a Doty pass on Sidney’s opening possession of the half. But Sidney’s defense responded once more. Keian Kaiser tipped a pass that his younger brother Kale intercepted and returned deep into Swede territory. Five plays later, Doty found Kash Knobbe in the corner of the end zone for a 26-yard score that stretched the lead to 21-6.

Gothenburg’s best chance to climb back came midway through the fourth when the Swedes recovered a fumble at the Sidney 21. They advanced to the 6-yard line before the Red Raiders stuffed three straight plays. On fourth-and-goal, Holly intercepted his second pass of the night at the goal line and raced 100 yards for an apparent touchdown, only to have the return wiped out by penalty.

Still, Sidney’s defense allowed nothing further. The Raiders forced a turnover on downs on the Swedes’ final possession, sealing the win and preserving their perfect record.

Doty finished 12-of-20 passing for 130 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Dorcey led the ground game with 81 yards on 13 carries. Sidney totaled 208 yards of offense while holding Gothenburg to just 139. Johnson rushed 18 times for 67 yards for the Swedes, while Mroczek was limited to 3-of-18 passing for 19 yards with four interceptions.

Sidney improves to 5-0 on the season and will travel to Ogallala next Friday. The Indians (1-4) are coming off a 34-14 loss to Chadron. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.