The Panthers may be 6-1 overall, but after Saturday’s regular-season home finale — a 65-point demolition of Greenville — Albany improves to a perfect 6-0 at the Civic Center as it now prepares to close out the last four games of the year on the road.

ALBANY — The force isn’t strong with this one.

The Albany Panthers destroyed the Greenville Force for the second time this season, winning 71-6 on Saturday to complete an unbeaten home schedule. The Panthers (6-1) have whipped Greenville by a combined 149-19 in two games this year.

“They have a tough situation over there (in Greenville),” said Panthers head coach Lucious Davis, who is friends with Force coach Tony Wells. “I hate to beat them like that, but you have to play the game.”

Albany led, 50-0, at halftime and put it on cruise control in the second half with quarterback Cecil Lester returning from a two-week absence due to injury. Lester completed 15-of-23 passes for 216 yards and six touchdowns.

“It felt great to get back with the guys,” Lester said.

Davis, who celebrated his birthday Saturday and joked was “turning 21,” was happy to have his unbeaten QB under center again after last week’s loss in Louisiana without him.

“Just to have him back, have our leader back; it’s good,” Davis said. “He’s a little rusty, though.”

Said Lester about the loss to Louisiana, “It hurt me bad because I wanted to be there for my guys.”

The Panthers now begin a brutal stretch with four road games to finish the regular season, although they’ve already qualified for the Southern Indoor Football League playoffs. Albany will host a first-round game July 10.

After Louisiana downed the Columbus Lions on Saturday night, 51-31, the Panthers sit alone atop of the SIFL standings as the only team with one loss. Davis and his guys still want to finish strong on the road, where they’ve played one game this season and lost.

“I don’t care about the road,” Davis said. “I don’t care about the (opposing) fans. As long as we execute, we’ll be fine.”

The Panthers executed just fine Saturday, leading, 28-0, at the end of the first quarter after running just four offensive plays. Lester threw touchdowns of 29 and 21 yards in the first and Derrick Wimbush scored one of his two touchdowns on the night to set the tone.

“We’re the only team who can beat us,” Lester said.

The Panthers’ defense also got into the action when defensive end James Harris recovered the first of two fumbled snaps in the end zone for scores in the first half. Harris’ second recovery for a touchdown put the Panthers up, 43-0, with 10:29 left in the second quarter.

Greenville committed nine turnovers Saturday, including five interceptions.
Lester’s touchdown throws went to Clenton Rafe (two TDs), John Harris, offensive lineman Robert Elliot, Antwontis Cutts and Antwone Savage.

Albany will travel to Columbus on Saturday.

From albanyherald.com