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Westminster Christian loses tough one to Hebron

After upsetting previously unbeaten Hiawatha last weekend, Westminster Christian entered Friday's game with Alden-Hebron with momentum heavily on its side. In just their second season of football, the 2-2 Warriors were poised to move a win closer to their first playoff berth in front of an overflow homecoming crowd in Elgin.

But the Giants spoiled Westminster's celebration behind one of the most unlikely of heroes.

Tight end Trevor Redlin hadn't practiced or played one snap at running back all season. But when an injury knocked star tailback Josh Johnson out of the game, Redlin slid into the backfield and rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown in the second half to lead Alden-Hebron past Westminster 15-13 in a Northeastern Athletic Conference game.

After scampering for 73 yards in the first 18 minutes of the game, Johnson injured his ankle and knee on a punt return late in the second quarter. Alden-Hebron coach John Lalor turned to Redlin even though the tight end and linebacker had no experience at running back in preseason practices or the team's first four games. Lalor's decision paid off handsomely. The junior provided the Giants with a 15-6 third-quarter cushion when he rumbled for 54 yards on 7 carries, finishing the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.

When Westminster crept within 15-13 with 2:12 left in the fourth quarter, Redlin helped Alden-Hebron run out the clock with a 34-yard burst deep into Warrior territory.

"With (Johnson) out, we had to find someone who wanted to compete out there," Lalor said. "He's our tight end, so he gets a few counters now and then, so he can run the ball. He hadn't played there (running back) this season, but we felt like we had to try some fresh legs."

Westminster coach John Davis was impressed by Redlin's stopgap performance.

"When they lost their tailback, they just decided to run power football, nothing fancy," Davis said. "He did a good job."

Alden-Hebron relied heavily on its rushing attack throughout the game. The Giants jumped ahead 8-0 late in the first quarter on an 8-yard TD run by Nate Peterson and a 2-point conversion on a keeper by quarterback Colten Cashmore. Alden-Hebron racked up 123 yards on the ground in the first half and 133 in the second half for 256 total yards.

But Westminster kept finding ways to stay within striking range. Quarterback Max Tucker delivered a 27-yard TD pass to Connor James Albrecht on 4th-and-24 to trim the Giants' lead to 8-6 just before halftime, and running back Xavier Brown broke loose into the end zone from 26 yards out to inch the Warriors within 15-13 with 2:12 remaining. Alden-Hebron held on after recovering the ensuing onside kick and running out the final 2:10.

"They're really putting it all together," Lalor said of the youthful Warriors, who play 10 freshmen and sophomores on their varsity roster. "They've got some nice athletes, they're quick, they spread you out on offense and have some playmakers on defense. They're much improved, a good young team that competes hard and had a nice win last week over Hiawatha."

The win propelled the Giants (3-2) within two victories of a possible playoff ticket with three of their last four games at home. The Warriors (2-3) face an uphill climb to a playoff bid with two of the NAC's top teams coming up on their schedule, starting with undefeated Rockford Christian Life next week.

"We knew whoever won this game had a great shot at the playoffs," Davis said. "It's a tough loss to take, but we've got to come back with both guns blazing next week."

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