The Alba-Golden Panthers were undone last Friday by an Ore City Rebels team that took advantage of Panther mistakes en route to a 24-16 win.

The Panthers struggled out of the gate and fell behind early. They rallied in the second half to draw within range of the lead but fell short in the closing minutes.

Two penalties marred the opening possession for Alba-Golden, and they were forced to punt. The punt snap shot over the head of the punter and through the end zone for a safety.  

The Rebels were moving on the ensuing short field after the free kick but were derailed when Boogie Trimble undercut an out-route and intercepted a pass. The Panthers could not move and turned the ball over on downs. 

The Rebels hit a seam route for a big gain into Panther territory and ground-out a score to take a 9-0 lead.  

Alba-Golden put together a 57-yard drive as the quarter expired, reaching the Rebel 8-yard line. A nice draw play by Mason Smith and a screen from Sam Olson to Brett Sutton featured in the drive. The fourth-down pass to end the drive glanced off the Panther receiver, and the team turned the ball over on downs. 

The Rebels moved 92 yards on eight plays to score on their next possession. The score came on a 56-yard quick-pitch run around the right end.

After intercepting a deep Alba-Golden pass, the Rebels were stopped at the goal-line as time expired in the half. The score stood 16-0.

Having stopped the Rebels on the opening possession of the second half, Alba-Golden was derailed by another penalty and forced to punt. The snap again was errant and sailed out of the end zone for a safety. 

Ore City scored from the ensuing short field. 

The Panthers desperately needed a touchdown. They got it when Olson lofted a beautiful pass to Trimble who was streaking down the south sideline. A two-point conversion made the score 24-8 as the third quarter drew to a close.

The Panthers defense shut down the Rebels on their next two possessions, and the team rallied. Another deep ball from Olson to Trimble put the ball at the Rebel 19-yard line.  

Smith scored on a 13-yard draw play over the left side. Olson fought his way through two tackles to convert the 2-point try. The home side had drawn to within one score and a try. 

The Panthers needed a stop, but Ore City managed a drive of 50 yards to bleed out the clock. 

The second half revealed what the 2025 Panthers could be. They limited Ore City to 94 yards of offense in the second half while mounting two lengthy scoring drives. Had the Panthers produced the same quality of play in the opening half, the win would surely have been theirs

Of particular note, Panther Brett Sutton was a defensive stalwart throughout the game. Whenever a critical stop was needed, it seemed as though Alba-Golden’s number 3 was in on the tackle. He made critical stops all game on the edge of the defense.

The Panthers will travel to Simms on Friday to face the Pirates of James Bowie High School.