MALDEN -- The Malden football team showed glimpses of its potential Friday night. But too often, it let its youth show through.
Six first-half penalties, a pair of turnovers and an inability to stop a balanced New Madrid County Central offense led to a 50-40 loss for Malden in its season opener at The Swamp.
"(Penalties) put us in a hole that was, if not insurmountable, very difficult," Malden head coach Kevin Collier said. "No offenses are equipped for third and 17. Very few offenses are equipped to come back from 30, 40 points down."
After sophomore Drew Blankinship started the game off with a 38-yard scoring scamper on just the second play of scrimmage, the crowd was loud, and the game was off to a perfect start for the Green Wave.
But the Eagles quickly silenced The Swamp when junior Austin Davis returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards to match that score.
From there, the Green Wave never recovered, and the Eagles were able to keep them at an arm's length for most of the night.
"I feel like penalties lost us the game to be honest," senior linebacker Gavin Bristow said. "We had it going ... I felt like we were a little better than their defense, it's just when you get penalties, people lose their mind. We make bad mistakes, a couple fumbles, some bad passes. Eventually the outcome is you lose the game."
Each time the Green Wave (0-1) seemed to be gathering momentum, the Eagles (1-0) stemmed the tide and made whatever play was necessary to secure a win. With 2:20 left in the third quarter, Malden had cur what was once a 32-12 deficit to 38-26 and was threatening at New Madrid's 5-yard line.
Brandon Heck had some trouble securing a handoff on third and goal but secured it and looked to be heading across the goal line. At the last second an Eagles defender stripped him, and the defense recovered in the endzone for a touchback.
Malden was able to force a fumble but couldn't do anything with it, punting after six plays. With another chance to cut the deficit, senior quarterback Tye Miller threw a pass down the left sideline to sophomore Chris Castillo, but the ball slipped through his hands and into the arms of sliding New Madrid's sliding junior Bryshawn Williams for an interception.
On the ensuing drive, Malden forced a fumble of its own at the goal line, but the Eagles caught another break and recovered the ball in the endzone for a touchdown, essentially putting the game out of reach and holding on for the win.
"I loved it, man," New Madrid head coach Tyler Fullhart said of his team's success. "It's a true testament to our kids. Our guys have put in the work, and they deserve all the credit for this. I'm proud of them."
It wasn't all gloom for the Green Wave, though.
"The positive aspect is our offense kept scoring; we moved the ball well," Collier said. "We know we can do that. We have to be better defensively, and we will get there. It's back to the grind. Football season is a long season. You have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go again. And hats off to New Madrid."
Miller showed flashes of brilliance, taking on the workhorse roll and carrying the ball 29 times for 160 yards and three touchdowns. He added another 197 yards through the air on 22 of 38 passing.
Malden will travel to Caruthersville for a 7 p.m. game Aug. 31 to start a stint of three straight games on the road.