Detroit no match for A-G Panthers

Posted 9/1/22

The Alba-Golden Panthers made the end zone eight times in their 55-0 thumping of the Detroit Eagles, last Thursday night, at Mineola’s Meredith Memorial stadium. The Eagles were clearly …

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Detroit no match for A-G Panthers

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The Alba-Golden Panthers made the end zone eight times in their 55-0 thumping of the Detroit Eagles, last Thursday night, at Mineola’s Meredith Memorial stadium. The Eagles were clearly overmatched, while the Panthers systematically registered that positive muscle memory which they hope to use later in the season.   

After forcing a Detroit punt to open the game, the Panthers went 61 yards in eight plays for the initial score. Halfback Donald McVay ran at will against the Eagles, as the Alba-Golden offensive line often collapsed the whole side of the Detroit defense. 

McVay ended the night with 143 yards on 11 carries, accounting for a big chunk of the Panthers’ 395 total yards. 

Detroit returned the ensuing kick-off to the Alba-Golden 35 – their farthest penetration of the night. On the next snap, defensive end Jerry Skinner forced a fumble on the edge. Teammate Cameron Lennon scooped the ball and sprinted 65 yards for the Panthers’ second score.

The visitors were overly kind to the hosting Panthers. Alba-Golden’s next score was setup when a Detroit punt netted 5 yards. Alba-Golden quarterback Easton Campbell hit tight end Conner Gibson, who lowered his shoulder and picked up 11 yards. Campbell scored on a quarterback draw from ten yards.   

Detroit turned the ball over on each of their next three possessions. Early in the second quarter, Panther Braylon Moffett intercepted a halfback pass and returned it to midfield. Campbell hit speedy Glen Hartley in stride for a 49-yard score on a beautifully-executed post route. 

The score ballooned to 27-0 after the successful Jason Langston extra point. Langston was 6 of 8 on point after touchdown attempts.

The Panthers had more opportunities in the first half, but three of the four remaining Alba-Golden drives were torpedoed by penalties. One flag nullified a 19-yard Hartley scoring run around the right end. 

Alba-Golden took a 27-0 lead into the halftime break. 

A more methodical Panther effort followed in the second half. The Panthers scored on drives of 59, 76, 64 and 68 yards. Two scores came on the ground courtesy of Payton Dickinson, who took full advantage of demonstrating his skill in changing direction and acceleration. 

The other two scores came through the air. Late in the third quarter Campbell found Dalton Hamlin on a nicely-executed crossing route from 12 yards out. The final score of the night came when Lennon connected with Moffett over the middle for a 37-yard strike.

The Alba-Golden defense came to play, aggressively penetrating the line of scrimmage and rallying to the ball. Detroit could muster only 23 net yards from scrimmage against the Panther defense.

With only 20 players in uniform, the competitive level of the visitors trailed off sharply in the second half. They regrouped for one 33-yard drive late in the game, which Alba-Golden shut down at mid-field. 

Friday, the Panthers are headed to Linden-Kildare, which should offer Coach Drew Webster’s charges a challenge of an entirely different type. The Tigers boast a bevy of strong runners and a sizable front line. Friday night should be a feature game of the week.