The Alba-Golden vs. Rivercrest football game Friday was a frustrating game for the Alba-Golden faithful. Rivercrest came to Wood County and went home with a 34-29 win. 

The Panthers answered an opening-game score by the Rebels with a 74-yard drive. Quarterback Sam Olson hit a long pass to Cooper Christian to set them up in Rebel territory. 

Two plays later Boogie Trimble went in motion, passed through the backfield and ran a wheel route up the northeast sideline. Olson threw a perfect pass and Trimble easily scored. Alba-Golden took an 8-7 lead.

On the first play of the second quarter a crushing tackle by Brett Sutton jarred the ball loose and Alba-Golden created the first turnover of the night. The Panthers could not produce on the next possession, but they secured a second turnover by intercepting a deep pass minutes later.

The Panthers took over on their own 3-yard line. On the next play, an errant snap could not be controlled by Olson, and the Rebels fell on the ball in the end zone. Rivercrest was gifted a 14-8 lead midway through the second quarter.  

As halftime neared, Rivercrest was driving. On a fourth down and five, Panther linebacker Mason Smith stonewalled the runner and created the turnover-on-downs. Alba-Golden grabbed the momentum. 

After two beautiful completions and a bruising run by Smith, the Panthers were at the Rebel’s 20-yard line. Kaden Massie took a jet sweep, bounced out of a tackle, spun and raced to the west end zone. The Panthers took a 15-14 lead, with 2:18 on the clock. 

Rivercrest went to the air, completing four successive passes and moving deep into the offensive side of the field. With only seconds remaining in the half, the Rebels punched the ball into the end zone and went to the half leading 20-15. 

Frustration entered the game in the opening moments of the second half.

The Panthers fumbled away the kick-off, and Rivercrest scored from the short field. 

On the Panthers next offensive snap, Rivercrest intercepted a pass and again benefited from a short field. They extended the lead to 34-15. Less than four minutes had been played in the second half.

Alba-Golden got untracked with an 11-play scoring drive. Olson carried the ball over the goal line on a quarterback draw left. 

The next five possessions did not change the scoreboard. With 5:00 remaining, Olson connected with Sutton on a 45-yard post route. The Panthers scored shortly thereafter with Smith reaching pay dirt. The score tightened to 34-29.

The Panthers needed a defensive stand and they got it. A bull rush by Layton Williams registered a big sack and forced a Rebel punt. Alba-Golden had 1:58 to work with and 90 yards to go. 

An initial completion was hopeful, but the Panthers ran out of downs. Rivercrest ran out the clock. 

Alba-Golden outgained the Rivercrest 296 yards to 288 yards, but the four Panther turnovers proved very costly.

Alba-Golden enters their bye week and return to action at Honey Grove on Friday, Oct 17.