The Alba-Golden Panthers gave the hometown fans plenty to celebrate with a 52-0 thrashing of the Linden-Kildare Tigers Friday.

When a game is going decisively in one direction, it is easy to overlook the numbers on the jerseys.

So it was Friday, as at times it seemed as though Alba-Golden was playing with more than 11 on defense.

While offensively, the Panthers were more relentless in pursuing blocks and more aggressive in running the ball.

There was only one single momentary lapse in team concentration in the game.

Coach Drew Webster saw it and called a time-out. He had a brief on-field instructional moment with the defensive unit, and upon play resuming, the Panthers forced a turnover-on-downs to help preserve the shut-out.

The whole game can be illustrated in the first two series. Linden-Kildare took the initial kick-off and made a decent return.

They picked up a single first down – on a fake punt – but eventually punted the ball.

Alba-Golden took over on their own 40. Cameron Lennon took a hand-off over the left side, slipped through a clean hole, gained the edge and sprinted 60 yards to score. 

Linden-Kildare would require extraordinary measures to realize any gains whatsoever, while Alba-Golden would score through basic execution. 

It was also apparent that the Panthers’ level of conditioning was akin to playing with an extra man on the field – it made that much of a difference. 

The Panthers put up 38 points in the first half. After Lennon scored on their first play, the touchdowns followed: quarterback Easton Campbell connected with Wyatt Sutton on a nicely-executed slant route, Luke Jones carried the ball over for the third score of the night, Campbell found Luke Sutton from 28-yards out, and Jake Hallman broke three tackles on a 25-yard run.

At the half it was 38-0, Alba-Golden.

The Panthers’ defense forced three interceptions, one fumble, two turnovers-on-downs, two punts and a safety, a team defensive effort. Mixed in were two positive notes for Alba-Golden in the early season. 

The Panthers were able to hold the edge of the defense. This ability is absolutely key to compete in District 9-2A. The second note was an improvement in tackling technique. Tackling with certainty was a stand-out quality. 

Combining those two aspects of defensive play with the activity level demonstrated by linebacker Mason Smith, and the Panthers should present quite a defensive challenge.

The Panthers scored twice in a fast second half.

Following a Garrett Wright interception of a pass which had been tipped by teammate Gavin Parker, the Panthers drove 42 yards in six plays. Interior lineman Layton Williams carried the ball (and three defenders) over the goal from 4 yards.

The Panthers travel to Clarksville Friday for what should be a tougher challenge.