7-on-7 teams plays in Texoma tourney
By Sam Waller
Albany’s entry in summer 7-on-7 competition came within a score and a conversion Saturday, June 3, of qualifying for state at the Texoma 7-on-7 Tournament.
Albany went 2-1 for the day in games played at Wichita Falls City View, beating Archer City and Electra to win Pool D before falling 18-12 to Childress in the qualifying game.
“I was pleased with the effort and poise the guys showed with only two practices,” 7-on-7 coach Kevin Hill said. “All the teams we faced were on their third or more tournament. It was very good for the limited experience this year.”
Albany did not start competing in May as most teams did because the Lions baseball team advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs. About half the 12 players participating in 7-on-7 were also on the baseball team.
Albany will compete in the Abilene tournament on Friday, June 9.
Hill said every player in attendance made contributions throughout the day. That became an even bigger issue when Lute Wheeler was injured against Childress.
“Lute was safety, so we moved cornerback Calhan Fairchild to safety and put Woods Peterson in at corner,” Hill said. “That’s a tough chore for two young guys to go up against a team as talented as Childress, but they more than held their own.”
Hill said one highlight was the steady improvement Albany made on defense as the day progressed, holding Childress to its lowest point total of the tournament.
“Seeing Zane Waggoner and Lanxton Viertel play well at linebacker is a testament to their athleticism,” Hill said. “They are two big guys who can really move. It was good to have Houston Heatly back with the group this year after working through some injuries, and another young guy, Jaxson Street, played well in the secondary.”
In pool play, Albany defeated Archer City 32-27 and Electra 25-19. A scheduled game with Jacksboro, which was already qualified for state, was cancelled after the Tigers withdrew from the tourney.
Against Archer City, Albany overcame a two-score deficit to win. Adam Hill helped Albany pull even just before halftime by catching a long touchdown pass from transfer Chip Chambers and returning an interception to score on the next series. Wheeler directed the opening drive of the second half with Branson Beal scoring the go-ahead touchdown.
Chambers connected with Wyatt Windham for a TD, and Wheeler threw a scoring pass to Calhan Fairchild. Cason Fairchild had two conversions, while Windham had an interception on defense.
Against Electra, Albany never trailed as Chambers and Wheeler both had two TD passes. Adam Hill caught a TD pass from each quarterback with Beal catching one from Chambers and Windham one from Wheeler. Cason Fairchild had a PAT reception.
Against Childress, which plays three levels above Albany in Class 3A Division I, a missed opportunity early left the Lions playing from behind the rest of the way.
Albany’s opening drive stalled at the 10-yard line and Childress responded with the first touchdown. Trailing 6-0, Albany got a defensive stop and tied the score on a pass from Chambers to Adam Hill. Windham and Beal had clutch receptions to sustain the drive.
Another interception return by Adam Hill pulled Albany into a 12-12 tie with just under three minutes to go. Childress worked the clock after that, scoring the deciding TD with 45 seconds remaining. Albany hit a long pass to move inside the 20-yard line before time expired.
