Football players to receive medals

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions football team will be presented bronze medals for reaching the 2021 state semifinals of the Class 2A Division II playoffs in a cere­mony at 6:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at the high school gym. The brief ceremony will take place prior to the varsity basketball games against Hamlin.

The University Interscholastic League presents gold and silver medals to members of the state champion and runner-up teams on the field at the state final in December. Both teams that lose in the semifinals receive bronze medals.

“We’ll pass out those medals and we’ll have the third place trophy there to present, too,” Lions head coach Denney Faith said. “It’s a little recognition for a really good year.”

Albany went 13-1 in 2021, winning the District 8-2A Division II crown and four playoff games before falling 35-14 to Stratford on Dec. 9 at Lubbock’s Lowrey Field. The Elks defeated Falls City 39-27 a week later for the state championship.

It was the second year in a row and 18th time in 43 playoff appearances since 1953 that the Lions’ season ended with a loss to the eventual state champion. All but four of those losses have come in the quarterfinals or later.