Gardiner made the long trip from their home turf (308 miles) to Alberton hoping the hours-long drive in a bus was worth the effort.

It was for the Bruins, who headed back home Friday night with a 40-6 win over the Panthers in hand. 

On a cold, rainy and windy night in eastern Mineral County, the visitors warmed up with a first quarter touchdown via an eight-yard run to give them a 6-0 lead.  The point after touchdown (PAT) run, which is good for one point in six-player football, was good, boosting their early advantage to 7-0. 

That score held up throughout the first quarter as both sides traded turnovers. 

The Bruins, who used squib kicks on every kick-off during the game, held Alberton scoreless in the first half, and took over on downs in the middle of the second quarter. They also recovered an Alberton fumble on the four-yard line that turned into a 74-yard fumble return touchdown for the visitors. 

The PAT run was good, boosting the Bruins lead to 14-0, which was the score at halftime. 

Gardiner then erupted for 20 points in the third quarter, while their swarming, pressure defense kept Alberton off the scoreboard. 

The Bruins upped their lead to 20-0 when they scored on a reverse from 10 yards out in the early moments of the third quarter.  On Alberton’s next possession, Gardiner added another touchdown on a 22-yard interception return.  A successful one-point PAT boosted their advantage to 27-0. 

Gardiner scored once more in the third quarter on a five-yard touchdown pass.  The PAT try was no good, but heading into the fourth quarter, the Bruins were in command, 34-6. 

In the fourth quarter, Gardiner halted an Alberton drive with an interception in their own end zone.  That gave the Bruins the ball at the 15 on the touchback rule, and one play later they scored on a 65-yard touchdown strike.  The PAT failed, leaving the score 40-6 in favor of Gardiner. 

The win lifted Gardiner to 2-3 on the year, while Alberton fell to 0-4. 

Next up for the Panthers is a home game this Friday (Oct 11) against conference foe White Sulphur Springs.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.