The Alba-Golden Panther offense churned out 420 yards in a powerful performance against the Prairiland Patriots at Pattonville Friday.  Two late fourth-quarter turnovers, however, were their undoing as they fell 27-26 in the season opener. 

The loss was painful after having played an even first half and physically dominating the second half.  Indicative of the domination is this stat: in the second half, the Panthers defense yielded only 79 yards of offense to the Patriots while the Panther offense rolled up 276 yards.

It started out as a well-matched game. Prairiland scored on the initial possession of the game, as they found the right edge of the Panther defense and scored on a long run. 

Following a 47-yard drive, the Panthers turned the ball over on an interception.  

Having now hardened the edge of the defense, the Panthers forced two consecutive punts, a turnover on downs, and a fumble to deny Prairiland any further first-half scoring opportunities.    

Alba-Golden scored on their second possession of the night, with quarterback Blake Weissert sneaking the ball over the right side after a 10-play, 77-yard, drive. That drive was spectacularly Alba-Golden. As they did all night, the line opened up a variety of holes for Boedy Baker, Ryan Jackson and Glen Hartley to exploit. 

In an area which will certainly get plenty of attention this week – Alba-Golden went one for four on points after touchdowns on the night – the ensuing extra point kick careened off the crossbar.

Pinned deep in their territory twice in the second quarter, the Panthers could get the ball moving but did not put together the length-of-the-field drives required.

At the half, the score stood 7-6, Prairiland. 

The teams traded scores to start the second half. Alba-Golden’s Glen Hartley scored on a beautiful 43-yard run. He made the left end and cut back through the Patriot secondary accelerating away from the defense. A successful 2-point conversion gave the Panthers a 14-7 lead. 

Prairiland answered with a 35-yard scoring run as their quarterback executed a nice counter-option. The score was tied at 14. 

From the 8:38 mark of the third quarter until the late in the fourth, it was all Alba-Golden. The Panthers scored twice – on a 16-yard burst up the middle by Jackson and again on a 47-yard interception return by Jack Patton.   

Meanwhile, the Panther defense was wrecking the Patriots’ psyches. Net yardage for the Patriots in this span was a negative 9 yards over three possessions. 

And then, with 7 minutes to play, it all changed. On a second down from their 24-yard line, Alba-Golden lost a fumble. 

The Panther defense drove the Patriots back 11 yards in three plays, but on a fourth down, Prairiland connected on a high-arced throw to the southwest corner of the end zone.  Despite two Panther defenders being there, the receiver made the catch for a touchdown. Score 26-21: Alba-Golden.

The Panthers took the ball with 3:54 on the clock and drove to the Patriots 1-yard line. There was one minute remaining. Just as Baker was crossing the goal line, the ball came out. A Patriot defensive back scooped the ball and raced 99-yards for the go ahead score. 

It was crushing; however, the Panthers did not quit – they rallied. In less than a minute, they moved the ball 55 yards and as time expired came up just eight yards shy.

A number of Panthers could be singled out for their performances: in addition to Baker, Jackson, Hartley, Weissert and Patton; Michael Gaskill, Eathan Thorn, Aaron Graham and Ethan Salinas were among the stand-outs. 

The team will long remember this game and will use it to build a smarter, more ruthless football team. A historic season could have its start in this close loss.