Panthers close out season with game against Lone Pine
It was an evening of “last times” as the Alberton Panthers took to the field on Friday to play the Lone Peak Big Horns. It was the last game of the season for the Alberton Panthers football team and the last game for seniors Donovan Drury and Jacob Damaskos. Both players were escorted, along with their parents, onto the field before the game and honored for their achievements and future plans.
The game was the last time Alberton played as the Panthers pending their co-op with Superior next year. It was also the last time the Panthers had the chance to seek revenge on Lone Peak for their Friday night defeat.
Lone Peak took an early lead in the game with Eddie Starz running the ball in for a touchdown with a two point conversion on the kick, with just 9:12 on the clock.
Next, Isaac Warran, received the kick for Alberton in the end zone with a touch back. Jonathan Drury carried the ball for a short gain, followed by another short gain by Nick Turnbull. With an incomplete pass by Warren, Alberton had to punt.
Wade Jackson caught the return, and was tackled by Turnbull. On the next drive, Starz took the ball in with a 40 yard touchdown, with a two point conversion. The score was 16-0 with 7:40 on the clock.
On the next play, Alberton fumbled the ball on the 15 yard line, giving Lone Peak another scoring opportunity. Alberton managed to hold them and get the ball back. They moved the ball to the 30 yard line before punting. Starz caught the punt and took the ball into the end zone. But a foul was called and the play was incomplete. Then, Starz passed to Bridger Babcock for the touchdown and the conversion bringing their lead to 22-0.
Lone Peak scored another touchdown, after Alberton failed to move the ball on their next drive. Bringing the score to 30-0. With 3:00 on the clock, Alberton received the punt and Warren ran the ball in for an 80 yard touchdown. Sterling Reese kicked for the conversion, but it was blocked. The score now 6-30.
The ball was kicked to Lone Peak, and caught by Wade who was tackled by Alberton’s Turnbull on the 35 yard line. There was a flag on the play against Lone Peak for holding and the ball was taken back to the 25 yard line.
On the next drive, Lone Peak was knocked out of bounds by Donovan Drury. Only to have them come back with a touchdown on the next drive by Starz. Now the score was 36-6.
Lone Peak kicked the punt and it was caught by Jesse Shaske on the 55 yard line. With 46 seconds left in the first quarter, Warren throws the ball to Turnbull in the end zone for the touchdown, now 12-36.
The story remained the same as the first half. Alberton struggled to regain ground against Lone Peak, who scored 4 more touchdowns, with two point conversions with lead scorers Starz and Babcock. Bringing the half time score to 74-12. The crowd saw a scoreless second half as the clock began to run due to the points margin.
“This is a good team,” Alberton’s Coach Weller said about his players, “They played tough all the way to the end and I’m looking forward to next season.”