Albany, Hamlin to battle it out this Friday

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion football team overcame a slow start to thrash the visiting Dublin Lions 64-27 and pick up their second win of the season.

The undefeated Lions will host the Hamlin Pied Pipers, also 2-0, this Friday at Robert Nail Stadium in a highly touted game that will pit the state-ranked rivals. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

“It is going to be a battle,” head coach Denney Faith said. “It will be a rivalry game that I think the kids are looking forward to and will enjoy. Both teams will be better when it’s over.”

Albany and Hamlin shared the same district last year, with the Pipers winning the title and Albany taking second place. Redistricting earlier this year has separated the two teams into different districts, but they are still on the same playoff path.

“Our goal is to get better each week and try to play good teams, especially in pre-district, to allow that to happen,” Faith said. “Hamlin is the defending state runner-up, so I think it will be a good game.”

Faith said he is anxious to see how the Lions respond to the challenge of playing in a game of this level early in the season.

Hamlin defeated Stamford in their season opener, 34-0, and won in Hawley last week, 35-6.

Lions Claw Dublin

Albany struck first at Robert Nail Stadium, but Dublin led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter. The visitors stayed ahead most of the second quarter until a late Albany tally gave the Lions the lead at the half.

“We learned a lot about coming out flat,” Faith said. “We lacked intensity in the first half, and we hurt ourselves with penalties.”

The Lions also fumbled away a touchdown in the end zone at the end of the first period.

“We were able to refocus at the half and played much better for the rest of the game,” Faith said.

The Lions also had some conditioning issues late in the second half.

“We have got to get in better game shape,” the coach said. “The high humidity and Dublin’s use of a no-huddle offense caused a lot of fatigue.”

But the coach was more than happy with the team’s offensive output with 582 yards.

“The line did an unbelievable job blocking, and Jaheim (Newton) had an outstanding game rushing for 310 years,” he said. “Barrett (Beal) was 14 of 20 in passing for four touchdowns and no interceptions, which is pretty efficient.”

The coach also commended Brooks Neece, who had 107 yards combined passing and rushing yards, as well as Robert Bailey and Beal for each scoring a touchdown. He noted that Cole Chapman had a good game with 86 yards on seven receptions for some needed first down conversions.

“Our defense got winded with the stress that Dublin put them under, plus we had to move some kids around due to injuries,” the coach said. “I was pleased with how we responded in the second half.”

Faith said that this week, the Lions may have a couple of seniors back in the line-up who have been healing from injuries.

Scoring Summary

Albany – Barrett Beal pass complete to Cole Chapman for 18-yard touchdown. PAT attempt by Ryder Wilkins fails. 1st quarter - 6:34. Score 6-0.

Dublin - Chris Teten 1-yard run for touchdown. PAT by Christian Ramirez good. 1st quarter - 2:26. Score 6-7.

Dublin – Teten 1-yard run for touchdown. PAT by Ramirez is good. 2nd quarter - 8:54. Score 6-14.

Albany - Beal runs 14 yards for score. Conversion attempt by Jaheim Newton fails. 2nd quarter - 7:31. Score 12-14.

Dublin - Teten pass complete to Landon Burch for 58 yards for touchdown. PAT by Christian Ramirez is no good. 2nd quarter - 6:50. Score 12-20.

Albany - Brooks Neece scores on 1-yard run. 2-point pass from Beal to Robert Bailey is good. 2rd quarter - 6:21. Score 20-20.

Albany – Beal pass complete to Bailey for 12-yard score. Wilkins PAT kick good. 2nd quarter - 0:56. Score 27-20.

Albany – Newton runs 52 yards for touchdown. Wilkins PAT kick good. 3rd quarter - 11:41. Score 34-20.

Albany – Newton runs for 23-yard touchdown. Wilkins kicks PAT. 3rd quarter - 7:52. Score 41-20.

Albany – Beal pass complete to Chapman 12-yard score. Wilkins PAT attempt blocked. 3rd quarter - 3:50. Score 47-20.

Dublin – Teten  pass complete to Dalan Rasberry for 79-yard score. Kick by Ramirez good. 4th quarter - 11:28. Score 47-27.

Albany – Bailey runs for 30-yard score. Wilkins kicks PAT. 4th quarter - 10:28. Score 54-27.

Albany – Beal pass complete to Cooper Fairchild for 7-yard score. Wilkins kicks PAT. 4th quarter - 7:01. Score 61-27.

Albany – Wilkins kicks 32-yard field goal for score. 4th quarter - 2:01. Score 64-27.