Even with an early lead, the Alberton football team (1-2) lost 57-21 to Augusta.

The Panthers came out of the first quarter ahead 8-6. Matt Foley grabbed a three-yard pass from Cody Ishler for the touchdown. Jake Thompson kicked the ball into the goal for an additional two points before faltering during the second quarter.

During the second quarter, the Panthers failed to complete a play and to score a touchdown, leaving the score where it stood.

Coach Jake Giffin said handling mistakes were the misfortune for the team on Friday night.

“We had a lot of different mistakes, but we fumbled and turned over the ball a lot,” he said.

While the Panthers didn’t score in the second quarter, Augusta put 23 points on the board and took the lead at half time, 29-8. The Panthers never recovered.

They managed seven points in the third quarter. Thompson started things off when he caught a 14-yard pass from Ishler’s rocket arm. Thompson returned the favor when Ishler caught a pass in from Thompson. In the fourth, Foley carried the ball in a four-yard run to score for the Panthers for a final six points.

“Overall, it wasn’t bad,” Giffin said. “We just had a lot of mistakes.”

Giffin said that Augusta was an experienced team who has been playing six-man for awhile, whereas the Panthers only started this year.

“Augusta is the type of team that has played in championship situations,” Giffin said. “They’ve been playing six-man for awhile.”

Alberton started the season with a win against St. Regis and has yet to bring home another win. Giffin said, however, that the teams they’ve played since, like Augusta, have been experienced.

Despite the loss, Giffin said he felt as though they stood up physically to Augusta.

“We physically held up to them,” Giffin said. “But we had too many mistakes and we didn’t capitalize on their mistakes.”

The Alberton Panthers will hit the field next when they take on Valier at 7 p.m. on Friday in Valier.

Giffin suspects Valier will be another opponent that will be a bit tougher to beat, but he said the Panthers have plans to work hard during practice and give it their best.