ALMA — The Alma Airedales opened their season with a 99-yard touchdown drive and marched into the record books.

Alma matched their longest winning streak over Van Buren at six straight with a 34-21 win on Tuesday night in the Battle of Crawford County.


Alma (1-0) also beat Van Buren six straight years from 1978-83.

The Airedales also protected their home turf against their neighboring rivals, winning for the ninth time in the last 10 years at Citizens Bank Field at Airedale Stadium.

Tuesday, Van Buren held a 7-6 lead and was driving to end the first half when the Pointers lost a fumble with 1:16 left in quarter.

Noah Dotson hit three quick strikes, and Garrison Jensen capped a 8-play drive with a 1-yard burst with 19 seconds left in the half. Aidan Walker tacked on the extra point, and Alma led 13-7.

The Airedales received the second half and needed just six plays to strike again.

Caleb Lamproe had a 27-yard run, Dotson hit Zach Oliver for a 20-yard gain, and Dotson ran for 14 yards to set up Jensen’s 3-yard scoring plunge with 10:00 left in the third quarter. Walker’s placement put Alma up, 20-7.

Van Buren (0-1) drew within 20-14 with 9:12 left in the fourth quarter on Caleb Salisbury’s 28-yard scoring pass to Caleb Christensen.


Dotson put the game out of reach, though, for the Airedales, capping Alma’s next two drives with touchdown passes.

Dotson hit Connor Huff with 38-yard bomb to cap a six-play drive with 6:03 left.

After another Van Buren fumble, Dotson immediately threw another 38-yard touchdown bomb for Felix Wright with 5:13 left.

Dotson completed 15 of 26 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns to lead Alma’s 382-yard attack.

Van Buren piled up 353 yards behind fullback Josh Aden, who rushed for 108 yards, and Walter Green, who added 104 yards on the ground, but the Pointers fumbled seven times and lost five.