The Alba-Golden Panthers dropped their District 10-2A Division I contest at undefeated Frankston, 53-8.
Head Coach Drew Webster still feels his team has a bright future.
“Frankston is really good just like we knew they would be. Our kids were playing just as hard as they could play. We know we have to keep our focus on the next four games. Our kids love the game and they play their hearts out,” Webster said.
The Indians jumped out to a 27-0 lead in the first quarter. Frankston added 20 points in the second quarter to take a 47-0 lead into halftime.
The Panthers got on the board with a touchdown run by Sam Leddy and added a successful two-point conversion.
The Indians added six points in the third quarter. Neither team scored in the final 12 minutes, leaving the final score at 53-8.
“Frankston was really good, but we were in the right spots, and we just did not convert on our opportunities during the game. That game is forgotten and we are preparing to take on a Cayuga team coming off a 37-0 loss to Como-Pickton. They have lost their first two district games so they are as desperate as we are to get that district win. Cayuga has a good football team, and they are well-coached and are smarting from their first two losses. You know they will be ready,” Webster said.
The Panther coach is now looking ahead.
“The biggest thing for us is completing plays. We need to stay ahead on the sticks so our offense can open up and make things happen. The positive I take is that we have our opportunities to make a difference. We won’t concede to anybody,” Webster said.
The Panthers will face a Cayuga team also looking for its first district win. The Wildcats went 4-0 in nondistrict play, defeating Bishop Gorman 62-20 in the opener before posting wins over Ore City, 21-12; Mount Enterprise, 52-0; and Itasca, 42-14.
Cayuga opened district play with a 21-13 loss at Hawkins before falling to Como-Pickton, 37-0.
The Wildcats’ offense is led by quarterback Kase Dickens. His receiving corps includes Carter Jenkins, who averages 35.4 yards per catch. Cayuga averages 92.3 rushing yards per game. Trace Simms averages 60.5 yards per game, while Ethan Castenada averages 43.2.
Garcia has scored six touchdowns, while Simms and Dickens have five each.
After facing Alba-Golden and Kerens, Cayuga will close the regular season against district leaders Frankston and Carlisle.
“Our focus right now is Cayuga. We are going to have great preparation for Cayuga and we will be ready for them. We are looking forward to some smash-mouth football,” Webster said.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Panther Stadium.