SIDNEY - The Class C-1 first round matchup between the #14-seed Pierce Bluejays (6-3) and #3-seed Sidney Red Raiders (9-0) lived up to its billing as a battle of strengths — Pierce’s powerful rushing attack against Sidney’s stingy defense. On a brisk afternoon at Weymouth Field, the Red Raiders made the most of their opportunities, turning three Pierce turnovers into two touchdowns to claim a hard-fought 21-14 victory and move to 10-0 on the season.

Sidney’s defense set the tone immediately, forcing a three-and-out and a punt after holding the Bluejays to minus-six yards on their opening drive. The Red Raiders quickly moved the ball to the Pierce 19 in eight plays, but quarterback Alek Doty’s fourth-down pass was intercepted by Bluejay safety Brody Scholting at the 8-yard line.

Moments later, Sidney returned the favor. After a holding penalty left Pierce facing third-and-22, Scholting’s pass was picked off by outside linebacker Kale Kaiser at the 30 and returned to the Bluejay 27. Doty later found tight end Keian Kaiser on a 10-yard completion to the 1, and Rhys Dorcey powered in from a yard out for the game’s first score.

Pierce responded after recovering a Sidney fumble at the Raider 32. Following a holding call that set up third-and-long, Scholting connected with Colter Anderson out of the backfield for a 31-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.

Late in the second quarter, Sidney capitalized on another Pierce mistake. On third-and-six, Scholting was hit by defensive tackles Zech Roggasch and Anderson Smelley, forcing a fumble that cornerback Kyle Jaggers scooped up and returned 30 yards for a touchdown. The Red Raiders took a 14-7 lead into halftime.

Sidney’s defense continued to dominate after the break, and midway through the third quarter, the offense delivered its biggest play of the game. On first down from the Raider 40, Dorcey broke loose off left tackle and sprinted 60 yards for his second touchdown of the day, pushing Sidney’s lead to 21-7.

The Bluejays battled back with an 11-play, 74-yard drive capped by a 6-yard Bryce Lindstrom touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 21-14.

Sidney then chewed up more than five minutes of clock on a 12-play drive that reached the Pierce 9 before turning the ball over on downs. Pierce’s final drive ended when Roggasch intercepted a Scholting pass at the Bluejay 35 and returned it to the 28, sealing the Red Raiders’ win.

Sidney finished with 278 yards of total offense, including 238 rushing yards. Dorcey led the way with 161 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. Doty added 46 yards on the ground, while Keian Kaiser chipped in 31.

The Red Raider defense once again lived up to its reputation, holding a Pierce team that averaged 316 rushing yards per game to just 106 yards on 32 carries. Jackson Fischer led the Bluejays with 32 yards on 8 carries.

With the win, Sidney advances to the Class C-1 quarterfinals, where they will host Fort Calhoun (8-2) next Friday. The Pioneers advanced with a 20-13 victory over Gothenburg. Kickoff time at Weymouth Field is set for 2:00 p.m. MST on Cheyenne County Country (1340 AM, 95.7 FM, newschannelnebraska.com and the free NCN app).

Sidney Public Schools announced an early dismissal for students and staff next Friday to allow the community to attend the game. Classes will dismiss at noon, with bus routes adjusted accordingly.