It was a 95-yard drive. The Alba-Golden defense came up with a big stop near the goal-line and forced a Paul Pewitt Brahma fumble. The score stood 38-6 in favor of Paul Pewitt, but judging from the way the Panther defense came off the field after recovering that fumble, one would have thought the game hung in the balance.

Workhorse Mason Smith carried the ball out to the 11. A great catch by Cooper Christian along the visitors’ sideline moved the Panthers to the 30. Quarterback Sam Olson picked up five yards on an option, and on a third down he hit Boogie Trimble over the middle for a catch and run into Brahma territory. 

A pass interference call against Paul Pewitt moved Alba-Golden into the red zone. Olson carried down to the 3-yard line on a draw, and Smith took a pitch around the right side and raced into the corner of the end zone.  

In a season wherein victories where hard to come by, it was a great reminder that the 2025 Alba-Golden team could compete and win. There is much in that 95-yard drive in which the team can take pride.  

The most important takeaway is likely this: no one can ever doubt that the Panthers will compete – from opening whistle to final horn. That, in football and life, is a victory.

The Brahmas went on to claim the game, 45-12, in a game which felt like a close game, despite the scoreline. Paul Pewitt scored on their opening possession, while shutting down the Panthers with a penetrating defensive line. 

Alba-Golden forced a turnover and took possession at midfield. Completions from Olson to Brett Sutton and Blake Harris moved the team to the Brahma 11-yard line. Smith then sprinted in for the score. 

Early in the second quarter, with the score standing 16-6, the Panthers had driven to the Pewitt 35-yard line. On a third down the team took a quick snap, and Olson threw a beautiful pass on a straight go route by Christian. The pass was a high, arcing, perfect spiral and fell just over the defender and into Christian’s hands, who took the catch in stride. The score, which could have changed the game significantly, went for naught, as the officials whistled the play dead for a neutral zone infraction. 

It was a turning point in the game. Pewitt scored thrice in the second quarter, while largely shutting down the Panther offense. 

In the opening play of the second half, Olson drifted back and threw a middle screen pass to Sutton, who weaved through the Brahma defense for a 67-yard touchdown. It was a highlight-reel play. Unfortunately, it was called back for holding. 

The teams traded a single score each in the second half as Paul Pewitt finalized the score at 45-12.

The Panthers wrap up the season Friday hosting the Boles Hornets. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.