Albany to face Early today in 2nd scrimmage
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions football team got its first taste of outside competition Friday, Aug. 11 with a controlled scrimmage at Coleman that head coach Denney Faith termed “very beneficial.”
The Lions get their final preseason tuneup Thursday, Aug. 17 (tonight) with another scrimmage at Early.
At Coleman, the Lions scored three touchdowns and allowed none.
“It went about the way we expected,” Faith said. “We hadn’t really gone live with full contact in practice before that, so the first part of the scrimmage I felt like we were getting used to hitting. As we got further into the scrimmage, we got into game mode.”
Albany’s first touchdown came on a long pass to Wyatt Windham from Chip Chambers. Then Chambers kept the ball on a bootleg to score in a goal-line situation, and Adam Hill powered into the end zone for the third TD behind guard Lanxton Viertel and tackle Zane Waggoner.
The Lion defense came up with two takeaways on interceptions by Windham and Luke Marshall.
“We saw things we needed to see,” Faith said. “We’ve still got a lot of work to do, especially with our young guys that are just now getting their first varsity action. Coleman is always really big and physical, and it was no different Friday night, so we got taught a couple of lessons.”
The scrimmage saw some familiar faces in new places with Hill playing linebacker on defense after playing defensive end last year.
“He’ll see some end this year,” Faith said of the senior. “We’re still playing with exactly where we’re going to put all the pieces.”
To be filled are places on the left side of the offensive line to go beside center Cole Read, Viertel, and Waggoner.
“We’re looking for guys to step up and take over,” Faith said. “We feel comfortable with everything else. The quarterback (Chambers) threw the ball well, and our receivers made some plays.”
The outing was another early step in what Faith hopes will be a long process.
“I think we’re right on track where we want to be,” the coach said. “We’ve got young guys up and new guys who haven’t been around, so we’re doing a lot of learning and teaching. Everyone’s catching on fast.”
Faith said the Lions emerged from the scrimmage with no injuries.
“Everybody came out healthy, which is a big plus in scrimmages,” he said. “Now we’re ready to take the next step.”
Junior Varsity
In the JV portion of the scrimmage, Coleman scored the only touchdown.
“We’ve got a bunch of freshmen, and that’s the first time they’ve ever had to play against an older group of kids,” Faith said. “They’ll come around.”
Faith said he’s still looking for an opening game for the sub-varsity.
Facing Early
Tonight’s action will start at 6:00 p.m. at Early’s Longhorn Stadium with the JV followed by the varsity.
Faith said details on the format had not been finalized early in the week.
“I’m sure we’ll do a couple of sets of plays and then do a live quarter,” he said.
