Lions to face Era today for bi-district
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions put the finishing touches on another undefeated regular season and built momentum for the playoffs last Friday, defeating Cross Plains 61-3 at Buffalo Stadium.
Albany (9-0 overall, 4-0 District 8-2A Division II) enters the playoffs without a loss for the 10th time under head coach Denney Faith and the eighth time since 2008. The Lions will play Era in a Class 2A Division II bi-district game at 7:00 p.m. Thursday (tonight) at Hawk Stadium in Iowa Park.
Against Cross Plains (5-4, 1-3), the Lions scored touchdowns on eight of nine offensive possessions. Jaheim Newton, who reached 1,000 yards rushing for the third year in a row, ran for three scores, and Cole Chapman passed for two as the Lions scored 50 or more points for the sixth time this season.
“Our kids played well, with a lot of intensity,” Faith said. “We were pretty efficient offensively. Overall, I thought it was a good effort and a good game going into the playoffs.”
Albany finished with 506 total yards, averaging more than eight yards per snap. Newton rushed for 124 yards with touchdowns of 21, 2, and 9 yards. The senior has 1,104 yards despite missing two games with an ankle injury.
“We’re playing really good ball, playing solid offense and defense,” Newton said. “If we can just do that throughout the playoffs, I think we can make a run for state.”
Chapman finished 15 of 22 passing for 193 yards. He had TD passes of 25 yards to London Fuentes on the game’s opening drive and eight yards to Adam Hill in the third quarter. Cooper Fairchild had six receptions for 95 yards, with Fuentes catching four passes for 55 yards.
Brooks Neece, Robert Bailey, and Samuel Rosas had short touchdown runs.
Albany showed patience on offense, putting together drives of seven, seven, eight, and seven plays on its first four possessions. Newton’s first touchdown and 47-yard gain on the third series were the only plays of more than 20 yards in that stretch.
“Cross Plains is a physical football team,” Faith said. “Even when the score might get out of hand a little bit, they still play hard and with a lot of physicality.”
The Buffaloes, who will play Muenster in bi-district, were held to 91 total yards, 44 of which came on one play. The Lions led 14-0 late in the first quarter when Asher Moses got loose, putting Cross Plains at the Albany 27 yard-line.
The Buffaloes reached the four, but the Albany defense stiffened, holding Cross Plains to Nick Hillis’ 27-yard field goal.
“Cross Plains threw the ball more than what we’ve been seeing these last three or four weeks,” Faith said. “It was good to be able to put some pressure on the quarterback. We got to do some things defensively that we haven’t been able to do the last couple of weeks just because of the differences in the offenses we were facing.”
Buffs quarterback Kade Purvis finished nine of 21 passing for 51 yards with an interception that defensive end Taren Farmer returned 25 yards to score and give the Lions a 35-3 lead. Farmer became the 13th Albany player with a touchdown this season.
“Instinct just took over,” Farmer said of the play. “It’s very exciting. I wasn’t expecting it.”
Neece led Albany with six tackles, including 3.5 for loss, while Farmer had 5.5 tackles. Coy Lefevre added four tackles, with Tye Edgar and Keatin Russell each making 3.5.
Playoff Time
Albany has advanced past bi-district for the last 18 years, last losing in the first round to Petrolia in 2002.
“We hope we’ve done it enough that our kids have an idea what to expect now,” Faith said of entering the post season. “We’re practicing down at the game field, which is special. They know that means it’s playoff season.”
Faith said playoff success requires a specific mindset.
“If you don’t win a game now, your season’s over,” he said. “There’s no more chances. You’d better come ready to practice and ready to play or you’ll be packing up your shoulder pads.”
Era (2-8) qualified as the No. 4 seed out of District 7, which includes Muenster and Windthorst. The Hornets are in the playoffs for the fourth time in five years, but are just 2-20-1 in 20 previous postseason appearances. Their last playoff victory was in 2015.
“They’re going to throw the ball and spread you out,” Faith said. “They have a big, tall receiver and a quarterback who throws decent.”
Albany will be the visiting team, wearing white jerseys, with visitor seating on the south side of the stadium. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. All tickets will be sold at the gate.
The winner of this game will face the winner of tonight’s Ralls-Olney game in the area round.
Directions
From Albany, take US Highway 283 through Throckmorton to Seymour, then continue on US Highway 277 to Holliday.
In Holliday, take FM 368 north to Iowa Park.
In Iowa Park, take Business US Highway 287 to Johnson Road. The stadium is located on the west side of Johnson Road on the Iowa Park High School campus.
