The Alba-Golden Panthers dominated the Ore City Rebels, 47-12, in a game rescheduled from Friday night to Saturday late morning due to a lack of available officials. The Panthers took it all in stride. After the opening kick-off, head coach Drew Webster exhorted his team to “Get to work!” 

They certainly did just that. The Panthers faced a Rebel team which was man-for-man bigger, and likely faster. The game was played on the opponents’ home turf, in hot mid-day temperatures.

Alba-Golden churned out 447 yards of offense, while they gave up a mere 96 yards. The Panthers were better organized, in much better physical condition and more disciplined.  

The initial possession of the game netted Ore City one yard and a punt. On successive plays Nikolai Kent, Luke Jones and Brett Sutton made great tackles to set the tone.

The Panther offense promptly went 81 yards in eight plays for the opening score. A 33-yard completion from Sam Olson to Garrett Wright and a 34-yard gallop by Cameron Lennon highlighted the drive. 

Lennon took the direct snap and scored easily from the one, fooling the defense. 

Contributions came from throughout the roster. Midway through the second quarter, Wyatt Sutton carried around left end for 45 yards inside the Ore City 10. 

Alba-Golden scored two plays later on a nicely-designed play that flowed all the play action to the right and receiver Cooper Christian crossing the end zone from the left. Olson lowered his shoulder to score the 2-point conversion and the Panthers were up 14-0.

Just before the half, the Rebels put a drive together. They leveraged their speed with a series of option pitches, quick pitches and reverse options first to one side of the field then to the other, to beat Alba-Golden to the corners.

When the Panthers adjusted and shut down the edges, Ore City scored on a roll-out pass from ten yards. Defensive tackle Jaxen Carver and company crushed the 2-point attempt.

The Panthers had 26 seconds left and took over from their own 35. A deep go-route pass down the right side just missed. On second down, the Panthers split four receivers out to the left and Olson threw a strike to Lennon on a wide receiver screen.

What followed was one of the best runs of the year. Lennon likely ran 100 yards in scoring his 70-yard touchdown. It sent the Panthers into the locker room up 20-6.     

The lead ballooned to 33-6 in the first few plays of the second half. Olson hit Sutton on a fly-route for a 51-yard score. 

On Ore City’s first snap of the second half, hard contact by the Panther defense jarred the ball loose. Lennon scooped the ball and maneuvered 40 yards for a score. 

The Rebels mustered one score in the second half while Alba-Golden scored twice more – with each set-up by excellent kick returns. Christian returned a Rebel kick-off down to the Ore City 37-yard line late in the third quarter. 

Two possessions later, Lennon returned a Rebel punt down to the Ore City 20-yard line. Olson carried over the goal-line. 

The Ore City game revealed a couple of strengths which will be critical for Alba-Golden in district play. The steady play of the defensive front – seniors Jaxon Carver and Nikolai Kent and junior Layton Williams will have the power to control the line of scrimmage, and the three could turn the course of any game.

Secondly, the ability of the Panthers to put their talented staple of ballcarriers and receivers in open space will determine future outcomes. 

The Panthers will ride this positive wave into a home contest Friday against the visiting James Bowie Pirates.