Alba-Golden suffered a gut-wrenching defeat at the hands of the visiting Rivercrest Rebels, 35-20, Friday.  

All things appeared to be going according to plan. The Panthers came out after halftime with the score locked at 14. Despite giving up an early score in the third quarter – a 62-yard quick post route – the physical competition and momentum favored the Panthers. 

The Rivercrest body language spoke volumes. They were tiring quickly of the physicality of the Panther offense and the will of the Alba-Golden defense. 

After Rivercrest’s opening scoring drive of the second half, the Panthers ran over and through the Rebels with an 81-yard scoring drive. Ryan Jackson and Boedy Baker ripped off large chunks of yardage. Baker scored through the left side from seven yards. 

The PAT went askew, leaving the score 21-20 in Rivercrest’s favor. 

Mixing a sporadic passing game with a series of quarterback draws, the Rebels moved down to the Panthers’ 5-yard line. There, they lost all composure. A holding penalty followed by two personal fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct led to a Rivercrest ejection and a first-and-goal from the Alba-Golden 43 yard line. 

On the next snap, the Rebels threw a high arching pass down the northwest sideline. The Panther defender jumped for the ball prematurely, and the pass went for a touchdown. It was an improbable score. Rivercrest led 28-20.

The Panthers were undaunted. Michael Gaskill fielded the short kickoff and bulled his way to midfield. Six plays later, Alba-Golden was at the visitors’ goal line. A holding call backed them up to the 17-yard line. The Panthers had two opportunities from the 7-yard line, but could not beat the Rebels to the corners. 

On a fourth-and-goal, a halfback pass was intercepted in the end zone. 

Four plays later Rivercrest executed a play-action, go route which went for a 70-yard touchdown. That sequence midway through the second half decided the outcome of the game. The Panthers had been on the verge of tying the game and moments later were down by 15 points. 

One last penetration by the Panthers followed but was stalled by back-to-back blocking penalties. 

The first half was an equally-matched affair. The teams alternated scores. Rivercrest employed a pass-centric offense mixed with a variety of draw plays, while the Panthers ground out yardage and used the pass as a surprise tactic.

Alba-Golden’s first half scores were both through the air. Quarterback Blake Weissert hit Caleb Anderson with a 50-yard scoring strike early in the half. Just before the end of the half, Weissert threw a beautiful ball on a reverse roll-out which hit Hunter Wright in stride for a 56 yard score. 

Panthers Ethan Salinas, Aaron Graham, Michael Gaskill, Nick Hallman and Ryan Jackson made notable defensive contributions.    

The Panthers once again suffered from a momentary lapse in their game. Much like the contests against Union Grove, Prairiland and Wolfe City, it was a quick two minutes of game time which determined the outcome. 

Alba-Golden is playing solid football and with four district games remaining has an excellent chance to play well into November. The next match-up will be an away game at Honey Grove on Thursday, Oct. 22.