Fourth-ranked Carlisle proved too much for a hard-fighting Alba-Golden team Thursday night, defeating the Panthers 48-7 in Price. T

he loss dropped Alba-Golden to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in District 10-2A Division II play.

Carlisle was led by running back Elvis Hernandez, who rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Antonio Ibarra completed 12 of 13 passes, including two touchdowns.

The Indians jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and extended it to 28-0 by halftime. Carlisle added 20 points in the second half, while Alba-Golden got on the scoreboard with a touchdown pass.

Panther quarterback Brett Sutton connected with sophomore tight end Cole Redmond on a 50-yard touchdown pass. Sutton also led the Panthers’ ground game against a tough Carlisle defense. Cason Boyd caught five of Sutton’s passes.

Head Coach Drew Webster was proud of his team’s effort against the Indians.

“I’m proud of how our kids answered the bell. We did have opportunities early, but there is a reason they are ranked number four in the state. They are a good team who will do well in the playoffs. Our kids battled them every play and we had the ball in their territory inside the 50-yard line but just could not get a score. Our kids always show up to play, they are resilient,” Webster said.

The Panthers will have their hands full Friday night when they host county rival Hawkins, which can clinch a playoff spot with a victory.

“Alba-Golden will not lay down. They are a very well-coached football team and we expect them to play us very tough,” Hawkins Head Coach Bill Cowley said.

The Hawks are led by senior quarterback Eli Smith, who completed 16 of 19 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns in Hawkins’ 35-12 victory over Como-Pickton.

Riggin Smith caught seven passes for 97 yards and also led the defense with 10 tackles and a tackle for loss. Free safety Anthony Howard recorded 12.5 tackles and provides another strong presence in the Hawks’ secondary.

Webster knows slowing down the Hawkins offense will be a challenge.

“Their quarterback (Eli Smith) is a gamer, he can really play. Our goal is to get after him early and get a lot of defensive pressure. We must be opportunistic and take advantage of anything they might give us. We need to take advantage of any turnovers we can get in the game,” Webster said.

Friday’s game will also be senior night for Alba-Golden, marking the final home appearance for 12 Panthers. The seniors are Memphis Martinez, Brett Sutton, Cason Boyd, Samuel Leddy, Noah Richardson, Hudson Osbern, Luke Goforth, AJ Warren, Aksel Whitcomb, Andrew Asbell, Simon Ortega and Cody Wells.

“It is senior night and we are going to honor our seniors for all of their accomplishments in our program. This group is hard-working, they put on their helmets and come to work every time they hit the field. You can’t ask for a better group of young men. Whatever success we may have in the future, this group will have been the foundation of that success,” Webster said.

Webster added that this group of seniors never complain, practice hard and play even harder.

“They also teach our younger kids how to do things right on and off the field and how to show up and work hard every day,” Webster said.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Panther Stadium.