Injuries plague Lions in tough 27-13 win
By Sam Waller
Probably the best thing about Albany’s 27-13 victory at Seymour last week was the Lions had 11 healthy players on the field at the end.
A depleted Albany squad returns home after two games on the road to host Hawley at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.
On Friday, Sept. 9 at Seymour’s Fair Park Stadium, the Lions knew they would be shorthanded with running back-linebacker Coy Lefevre (shoulder) being held out. Then quarterback Cole Chapman (knee) played only one series before exiting, and three other players saw their nights ended by injury.
Lute Wheeler stepped in for Chapman and directed four scoring drives. Adam Hill scored three touchdowns, London Fuentes made impact plays in all three phases, and the Lions defense held an explosive Panthers attack at bay as Albany improved to 3-0.
“I was really proud of our kids,” Lions head coach Denney Faith said. “With the way things went with injuries, our kids never panicked. Everybody kept their heads and kept playing hard.”
Also sidelined were receivers Branson Beal (ankle), Fuentes (neck), and lineman Zane Waggoner (concussion). Faith said all but Chapman are listed as day-to-day.
Lineman Lanxton Viertel said the Lions were able to keep things together despite the injuries.
“The injuries are going to weaken us, so sometimes our second string has to be better than our first,” he said. “That’s when they’ve got to come in and make plays. Some of them will have to step up in positions they don’t normally play.”
Faith said the injuries don’t change Albany’s goals for the season, just the manner in which the Lions will be expected to achieve them.
“We’ll adjust and do what we have to do,” he said. “We’ll have to evaluate the injuries, but our kids will keep playing hard. We’ll show up.”
Albany finished with 421 total yards, while allowing Seymour 325. Panthers quarterbacks Brayden Loyd and Keegan Gilbreath combined to complete 21 of 45 passes for 219 yards, but the Lion defense stopped three drives into the red zone in the fourth quarter to keep Albany in front.
“Our defense has been playing lights-out all year,” Faith said. “This was just another example of how well they’re playing against another good offense.”
Tye Edgar and Koy Cauble each had six total tackles to lead the Lions. Tyler Chapman and Jayden Lucas added five stops apiece, while Cason Fairchild, Samuel Rosas, and Wyatt Windham each had four.
Wheeler finished 5 of 10 passing for 136 yards and a touchdown in relief of Chapman, who was 3 of 4 for 28 yards in his one series.
“The backups work every day in practice, but don’t get as many reps as the starters,” Wheeler said. “But when someone goes down like that, those reps count. You just go in there and play your tail off.”
Hill rushed for 163 yards on 24 carries, scoring on runs of 24 and 63 yards. He also had a 65-yard TD reception on a play that averted disaster.
With Albany nursing a 20-13 lead in the fourth quarter, Wheeler chased down a wayward snap and found Hill on the left sideline. Hill eluded two defenders before reaching the line of scrimmage and raced 65 yards for the clinching score with 7:14 remaining.
Fuentes caught three passes for 58 yards, rushed three times for another 55 and a score, and gained 70 yards on returns. His interception at the 8-yard line with 4:15 remaining and a 15-yard run for a first down on the following possession enabled Albany to run the clock down to 1:15 before punting.
Albany’s first drive of the night ended on downs at the Seymour 15, but Hill capped the next two possessions with his rushing touchdowns as the Lions took a 14-0 lead.
Seymour rallied as Gilbreath threw a 36-yard TD pass to Levi Bourland in the second quarter and caught a 35-yarder from Loyd in the third quarter. A failed conversion left Albany ahead 14-13, and Fuentes followed with a 51-yard kickoff return to set up his 31-yard touchdown run on a reverse to make it 20-13 with 4:38 left in the third.
The Panthers kept the pressure on, driving to the Albany 14, 17, and 3 on the next three possessions. Two fourth-down stops sandwiched Fuentes’ interception as the Lions held on.
Facing Hawley
Hawley (3-0) is ranked No. 2 in Class 2A Division I after beating Eastland 36-12. The Bearcats, who reached the 2ADI state final last year, have started the season with victories against three Class 3A opponents.
“Our kids are going to show up and play,” Faith said. “Hawley has a very good football team, but our kids are going to give it everything they’ve got. We’ll find out what we think we can do against them and see if we can execute on Friday night.”
ALBANY OPPONENTS
Week 3
Lubbock Trinity Christian (1-2) lost to Argyle Liberty Christian 35-25
Dublin (1-2) beat Anson 24-21
Seymour (2-1) lost to Albany 27-13
Hawley (3-0) beat Eastland 36-12
Comanche (3-0) beat Early 49-40
Miles (3-0) beat Water Valley 56-0
Cross Plains (3-0) beat Hico 33-7
Roscoe (1-0) vs. Midland TLC, cancelled
Hamlin (2-1) beat Crosbyton 33-0
Abilene TLC (0-3) lost to Sterling City 83-19
