In a grinding, throw-back kind of game, the Alba-Golden Panthers lost to the visiting Como-Pickton Eagles, 9-6, last Wednesday. The mid-week game was played as a part of the compressed schedule allowing teams to complete their schedules while compensating for time lost due to virus cases.

The teams possessed the ball only three times in each half, in what was a classic defensive football game. Alba-Golden totaled 240 yards from scrimmage and Como-Pickton managed 239. The Panthers averaged 5.5 yards per down and the Eagles 4.5. The statistics reveal just how much defense shaped the game. 

Como-Pickton’s opening drive looked as though it would surely lead to a score. The Eagles methodically moved down the field and had a first down on the Panthers 14-yard line. A series of solid defensive plays by Jerry Skinner, Caleb Anderson and Shawn Gaskill stopped the Eagles and forced a turnover on downs.  

The Panthers took over and promptly drove to the visitor’s 31-yard line before, likewise, turning the ball over on downs. 

The Eagles finished their next possession, scoring from  three yards out after a 13-play, 69-yard drive.  Panther Boedy Baker stopped the Como-Pickton two-point conversion attempt. 

Using Baker to round the corners and Ryan Jackson to rip up the middle, the Panthers quickly answered. Jackson scored over the right side from two yards out to tie the score with 2:16 remaining in the half. Baker then carried through the right side on a well-designed play for the conversion. For the first time since early September, the Panthers took a lead into halftime. 

The two long Alba-Golden drives of the second half were derailed by a strong defensive stand and back-to-back penalties, respectively. 

Between those two long drives, Como-Pickton put together a march of its own. Using an unbalanced line in much of the second half, Como-Pickton drove 70 yards on 20 plays.  

With a first down on the Panther’s 7-yard line, the Alba-Golden defense rallied. The defense made stops for negative yardage on first and second downs. On third down, Panther Thai Peterson skillfully defended a pass attempt near the goal line. 

The Eagles successfully booted the ensuing field goal attempt for the winning score. 

The Panthers had a last chance to take the game as they gained possession following a punt at midfield with 40 seconds to play. They advanced to the Eagle 34, but an interception sealed the game for the visitors. 

Alba-Golden will travel to Cooper on Saturday, Nov. 7.