The Alba-Golden Panthers faced one of the best football teams in Class 2A last Thursday at Christus Trinity Mother Francis Rose Stadium. The Beckville Bearcats throttled the Panthers 41-0 in the bidistrict match-up.

Forty-point losses sting, a lot. But the Panthers have much to be proud of. As a Tyler sportscaster in the booth at Rose Stadium commented, “These boys from Alba-Golden, play hard every play.” 

In addition to how they played, the Panthers gave up yardage only reluctantly to the high-powered Beckville offense. In the first half, Alba-Golden yielded just 129 yards from scrimmage, in the second half 115. 

Against an athlete like stand-out performer J’Koby Williams, a single missed gap assignment or split-second delay in committing to a tackle can result in a score. 

Williams proved that point, splitting the Panthers defense twice in the first half for long scoring runs. The Bearcat quarterback exploited a seam in the Panther defense for a 79-yard scoring run. It was the only score of the first quarter.

The weather was unrelenting. The game started on a soaked field and in steady rain. The rain never stopped, only lessening mid-game in its intensity before returning in strength in the second half. It caused some issues. 

A Panther punt snap sailed over the punter and gave Beckville possession at the Alba-Golden 14-yard line early in the second quarter. Beckville scored four plays later to lead 14-0.

On Beckville’s next possession, Williams struck again, slicing through the defense for a 36-yard score. 

The Panthers had an opportunity to close that margin late in the half. Cameron Lennon returned the ensuing kickoff 48 yards into Bearcat territory. Three extraordinarily-tough runs by Jake Hallman moved the ball to the 7-yard line. Two false start penalties derailed the drive as Alba-Golden turned the ball over on downs at the Beckville 16-yard line.

On the next play, the Panthers forced a Beckville fumble, with Wyatt Sutton recovering. The Panthers had another chance, taking possession at Beckville 23. 

Alba-Golden moved to the 9-yard line with their power running. On third-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Alba-Golden surged across the goal line but were flagged for a false start.  

With the last play of the first half, the Panthers were tackled at the 1-yard line. 

The first two second half drives sealed the game. Beckville moved 53 yards in four plays with Williams scoring on a quarterback draw.

Alba-Golden mounted its first significant drive. More tough running from Hallman gave the Panthers three first downs to the Beckville 26-yard line. 

An Easton Campbell pass found a gap between two receivers and was picked. The Bearcat defender split the two receivers, found the edge and went the distance for a score. Midway through the third quarter, the game was out of reach.

The Panthers managed 156 yards in the second half but could not find the end zone. 

In the waning moments, Campbell connected with a streaking Payton Dickinson down the east sideline for a long completion. As he was running to beat the defender to the goal, the ball simply popped out of his arms and out of bounds. 

The 200 Alba-Golden fans who made the trip to Tyler can take heart in how the Panthers competed, from the initial snap to the last whistle.