Lions deliver back-to-back titles
Last week’s win by the Albany Lions may well have felt “twice as nice” for Albany fans as the team repeated as the Class 2A Div. II state champions with a 28-10 win over the Mart Panthers on Dec. 14.
The Lions beat the Panthers in last year’s state final 41-21 to bring home the gold for the first time in 61 years. Albany also won back-to-back state titles in 1960 and 1961 seasons.
The Albany community was once again very invested in helping bring homeanotherstatechampionshiptrophy fromAT&TStadiuminArlington, continuing traditions such as beating the drum through the night before each playoff game.
Theofficialattendanceforthegame according to UIL statistic was 8,257, up 1,700 over last year for the two communities which have a combined population of about 3,600.
“We had an even bigger crowd than last year,” said head coach Denney Faith, who earned his 360th career win with the championship. “Our side again seemed a lot bigger, which really helped the kids. They always play harder when they can hear the support of the fans.”
The Lions set a new school record with a perfect 16-0 record for the season. Last year Albany posted a 14-2 mark due to injuries early in the season.
Faith, who came to Albany fresh out of college in 1982 as an assistant, took over the program as head coach in 1987. He has navigated the Lions to the state game six times in his career including 1991, 2009, 2014, 2015, plus the victories the last two years.
In his post-game press conference, Faith said that “winning games is great, but what is more important to me is the kind of fathers and husbands these guys make later on in life. That is what keeps me coming back.”
Faith was pressed by some of the media if he plans to continue coaching, which he didn’t respond to.
Superintendent Jonathan Scott said that the Albany community once again provided great support to the team, the coaches, and the school as a whole.
“Albany is special for many reasons,” he said. “The level of support from this community is unparalleded to any other I have seen.”
Scott said that the support provided not only to theteamwasamazing,but also all the other student groups such as the band and cheerleaders.
“On behalf of the district, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to all the community members, parents, businesses, and exes who supported the school in so many ways. This district is truly blessed to have such support.”
He also offered his congratulations to the athletes, coaches, staff, band, directors, cheerleaders, and student body in making this another memorable season that was “Earned, Not Given,” which will be truly “Be Remembered.”
