ORANGE BEACH — A pass interference penalty erased the Orange Beach Makos’ final attempt at the end zone Friday night in the regular-season opener. Instead of a touchdown, the hosts were left with a 7-0 loss to the Milton Panthers.

After looking downfield to a wide-open Grant Bilbo, junior quarterback Matthew Steele lofted a pass to the end zone where a jump-ball fight ensued. While Bilbo came down with the pass, Orange Beach’s hopes were dashed as the officials raised their flags for pass interference.

Mako defense builds a wall

Undeterred by the absence of points on the scoreboard, the Mako defense asserted its dominance with takeaways throughout the game to make its presence felt. Orange Beach head coach Jamey DuBose was sure to acknowledge his team’s performance despite the loss.

“Defensively, y’all played your tails off,” DuBose said in his postgame message to the team. “I am very proud to be your football coach.”

Carter Green and Daniel Hembree came through with key defensive moments where Green provided a skillful pass breakup as well as an interception to go along with Hembree’s fumble recovery.

Sharks still learning to swim

After facing a tough loss at home, DuBose noted that his team still features younger players that will look different in a few short years.

“We are a young team, we only returned three starters from a year ago,” said the Makos’ head coach. “I am just proud of the effort; we played hard, we have a lot of grit.”

Going forward, DuBose said Orange Beach will look to hone in its offensive bread and butter in practice.

“Offensively we are searching for identity,” he said. “We are looking for a playmaker and identity on offense.”

Up next

After a bye in Week 2, Orange Beach’s next contest will take place on Legion Field at Simpkins Stadium, where the Makos will face off against the Jackson Aggies in a Class 4A Region 1 game on Sept. 8.

Money quote

“These kids played better tonight than what I thought coming on the field tonight,” DuBose said. “They shocked me.”