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ALBANY, GA -- A year ago, the Albany Panthers- Columbus Lions rivalry meant a whole to the team from Albany. A lot has changed in one season.

After a SIFL league championship and a returning roster loaded with veterans, a game against the Lions is just another notch on the championship belt.

The Albany Panthers held the Lions to their lowest point total of the season in a 57-40 win at Albany’s Phoebe Field.

The Panthers grabbed the lead on the second play of the game, and never looked back. Defensive back Levance Richmond intercepted a Lions pass in the end zone, and returned it the length of the field for a 6-0 lead.

Quarterback Cecil Lester connected on touchdowns to receivers Antwone Savage and Clenton Rafe en route to a 33-10 second quarter lead. The Panthers entered halftime up 36-20.

In the second half, 43-33 was the closest Columbus got to a comeback. An early fourth quarter Panthers touchdown stretched the lead back to 17 points.

The Panthers haven’t lost a game since a June 4, 2011 regular season game in Columbus. The Panthers (5-0) opened the 2011 season with a six game winning streak. The team can match that record with a win next Saturday at home against the Alabama Hammers.