District leader Grand Saline blanks Alba-Golden

Posted 10/24/19

For the Alba-Golden Panthers, the 35-0 shutout loss to the Grand Saline Indians was a tale of two halves. The Panthers fell behind by two scores early after suffering a turnover deep in their own …

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District leader Grand Saline blanks Alba-Golden

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For the Alba-Golden Panthers, the 35-0 shutout loss to the Grand Saline Indians was a tale of two halves. The Panthers fell behind by two scores early after suffering a turnover deep in their own territory, then battled the Indians evenly throughout the first half. Big plays in the second half turned a close game into a rout.

The Grand Saline Indians have a unique team. They are big, athletic and fast, a rare combination in 3A high school football. It is little wonder that they sit atop the District 10-3A DII standings with a 4-0 district record. 

To beat this team, there can be no mistakes, and the opposing team must have a number of key plays. Alba-Golden did not provide enough of those to upset the Indians last Friday. 

The Panthers got off to a tough start. Their patented on-side kick failed to travel ten yards, and the Indians started the game’s initial drive at mid-field. The speedy Grand Saline backs sliced through the Panther defense in five plays and the home side took a 6-0 lead.

On Alba-Golden’s first play from scrimmage, Quarterback Blake Weissert stepped back and attempted to hit a short post over the middle. The Indian secondary intercepted the ball and gave Indians possession at the Panther 38-yard line. 

A big run through the right side took the ball to the 10-yard line. On the next play, Grand Saline scored on a nice rollout toss into the end zone.  With less than three minutes of time expired, the score stood 14-0. 

What followed was 15 minute of grinding, physical football.  Alba-Golden was helped by a Grand Saline team that that decided they wanted to pass the ball, despite enjoying a lot of success on the ground. After having driven the ball in later first half possessions, Grand Saline’s insistence on trying to pass stopped their drives. 

Tim Mitchell and Corey Rush combined for a sack which turned the ball over on downs.  On the next possession, with the Indians nearing the goal line, Panther Hayden Weissert tipped a pass in the end zone which teammate Caleb Anderson intercepted. A sack and fumble recovery by Mitchell ended the next Indian’s drive. 

Unfortunately, the Panthers could not take advantage of their strong defensive effort. Six first half possessions resulted in only an interception, four punts and the end of the half.  

A sequence late in the first half indicated the type of heart that this Panthers team has. On a third down play from mid-field, Panther quarterback Weissert was hit as he threw the ball. The ball popped over the line of scrimmage and was intercepted by the Indians middle linebacker.  The backer appeared to have a straight shot down the left sideline for a score, but an amazing effort by Austin Hartley forced him out of bounds at the Alba-Golden 2-yard line. 

The Panther’s goal line stand, led by defensive specialist Michael Gaskill stopped the Indians cold. After Alba-Golden refused to yield a score in three running plays up the middle, the Indians went to the air.  The Hayden Weissert and Anderson interception ensued and kept the Panthers within striking distance to start the second half.

The second half gave Alba-Golden an opportunity to challenge the score and climb back in the game. A beautiful interception by Jon Chadwick on Grand Saline’s first possession of the second half was just that opportunity.  Chadwick intercepted the ball around mid-field and returned it down to the Indian 28-yard line. 

The Panthers just could not consistently break through the Indians’ defense. A turnover-on-downs ensued.  On the very next play, Grand Saline scored on a 66-yard run up the middle, and the outcome was sealed. 

Grand Saline scored twice more on long runs of 40- and 39-yards.  The Panthers managed just one significant drive in the second half, a 65-yard effort, which featured a nice catch and run by Chadwick and a long scamper around right end by Hartley.  The result, though, was a turnover-on-downs at the Indians’ 22-yard line.    

The normally-festive Friday night experience was dampened by concern for Panther quarterback Blake Weissert, who was carted off the field after a long delay. He remained on the sideline, but was driven away for observation at the end of the game. It appeared to be some type of neck injury which had caused concern. 

The Panthers, searching for their second district win, will host the Troup Tigers this Friday. Troup stands at 2-2 in district play and is coming off a win against Frankston.