Lions open season at home against Stamford
The Albany Lions wrapped up their final tune-up last Thursday in Early and now turn their attention to the season opener this Friday night at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium, where they will host rival Stamford.
Head coach Denney Faith said he was pleased with the way his defense performed in the scrimmage, which featured three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and limited the Longhorns to only one significant play.
“I was really impressed with the way our defense played,” Faith said. “We gave up one explosive play, but other than that, they really didn’t move the ball on us. When you win the turnover battle, you usually win the game, so that’s always a big emphasis for us.”
The Lions return nine defensive starters from last season, giving the unit valuable experience and leadership at nearly every position. With so many familiar faces back, Faith said the defense has been able to build on what was established a year ago instead of starting from scratch. The group has shown steady progress through the first two scrimmages, limiting big plays and creating turnovers, which Faith pointed to as a key for success. “We felt like the defense would be a strength, especially at the beginning of the year, and that’s proven true so far,” he said.
On the other side of the ball, the Lions enter the season with a different look than expected. Sophomore quarterback Clay Chapman, projected to start this fall, suffered a fractured collarbone and will be sidelined to begin the year. His injury has moved freshman Lyle Wheeler into the starting role, marking the first time in Faith’s 39 seasons as head coach that a freshman will open the year as the Lions’ quarterback.
Faith said Wheeler responded well in the Early scrimmage. “Lyle handled himself really well,” he said. “This time last year he was playing junior high football, so to step up into that position against a bigger school was a big challenge, and I thought he did a good job.”
Faith added that Wheeler won’t be asked to carry the offense by himself. “We’re going to have to lean on those guys up front,” he said of the Lions’ offensive line. “They’ve got experience, and we don’t want to put too much on Lyle right now. We want to run the ball well, and let the kids around him make plays.”
That balance will be critical against Stamford, a program coming off a run to the state championship game last season.
“They’re going to be very physical, very well coached, and they have a lot of speed,” Faith said. “They may be the best team we play until the playoffs.”
With a strong defensive foundation and a young quarterback surrounded by experience, the Lions enter Friday’s contest looking to establish their identity early. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.
The Lions’ pre-district schedule will continue with another big rivalry game on Sept. 5 when the Hawley Bearcats come to Robert Nail Memorial Stadium. The following week, Albany will travel to Seymour on Sept. 12 before returning home Sept. 19 for Homecoming against Coahoma. That game was originally scheduled against Merkel, but the Badgers backed out, forcing the change. Pre-district play will wrap up Sept. 26 when the Lions travel to Anson. After that, the Lions will have an open week to regroup before beginning district competition on Oct. 10.
