ALMONT - Aug. 28, 2009 - The new-look Standish-Sterling football team experienced a new feeling Friday.

For the first time in nearly two full seasons, the Panthers lost a regular-season football contest, 9-7 to Almont.

The Raiders are coming off a three-year run strikingly similar to SSC's last three seasons, making the playoffs each year, running up a 27-6 mark and reaching the regional finals in 2008.

The Panthers' 29-7 record, two regional title games and one state semifinal appearance made this a marquee matchup, particularly for a season opener. And in many ways the contest lived up to that billing as Almont needed a 37-yard Ben McNally field goal with 1:05 to play to take the win after the Panthers had led since the first quarter.

"Almont has a very good and talented football team," said SSC coach Paul Walderzak. "I can't fault our physical effort at all. Our guys played hard; we just have to play better and keep moving forward."

The Panthers had their chances, but other than a 37-yard touchdown by quarterback Mitchell McFarland (along with Trevor Trombley's PAT) with 4:45 left in the first quarter, weren't able to capitalize.

"We had the ball inside the 30 yard line three times and just couldn't finish it," Walderzak said. "One score was called back on a penalty and we missed gaining a first down on the nine-yard line on fourth down on a missed pass.

"We had opportunities that we just did not take advantage of, and defensively we missed too many tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage."

Penalties also didn't help SSC's cause as the Panthers were flagged 10 times for 76 yards.

Almont's Addam Wierbicki shaved the SSC lead to 7-6, but missed the extra point to leave the Panthers ahead at the half.

Kevin Reeves led a balanced SSC rushing attack with 64 yards on seven carries, with Trombley adding 63 yards on 15 carries. McFarland rushed nine times for 51 yards and was 2-of-5 passing for 21 yards.

The Panthers forced four turnovers while giving up just two. Zach Neid and Alex Schmidt each had 11 tackles, with Ryan Veitengruber adding nine with two sacks and Tanner Mitrzyk with seven.

SSC (0-1) hosts Gladwin (0-1) in its home opener on Thursday, Sept. 3.