Jr. high Cubs record wins over Hamlin
By Sam Waller
The Albany Junior High Cubs football teams made what was supposed to be their final home appearances Thursday, Oct. 27, beating Hamlin at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.
The Cubs close out their season Thursday, Nov. 3 (tonight), against Abilene Texas Leadership Charter Academy, once again at Nail Stadium.
The games were moved from Abilene and will form a tripleheader with the varsity game between the schools. The varsity game was moved up a day from Friday, Nov. 4.
Against Hamlin, the seventh grade won 36-6, while the eighth grade won 30-20.
Seventh Grade
Hamlin struck the first blow, returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but Albany struck the next five.
Jakobi Roberson and Bennett Neece each ran for two touchdowns as the seventh grade Cubs (8-0) remained undefeated.
“Offensively, I was proud of Hunter Sutton, Ryder Smith, Senio Togia, Cash Edgar, Jordan Knight, and Graham Ceder,” coach David Fairchild said. “Roberson, Neece, and Clay Chapman ran the ball well. Defensively, Ace Vickers, Ceder, Aiden Vickers, Neece, and Edgar had good games.”
Albany finished with 299 total yards as Roberson rushed for 114 yards on six carries and had a 15-yard reception. Neece rushed for 32 yards on four carries.
Chapman added 75 rushing yards and a touchdown on four carries and was 4 of 5 passing for 49 yards. Aiden Vickers, who converted following two touchdowns, had two receptions for 28 yards and rushed twice for 12 yards. Ceder caught one pass for 6 yards and rushed for 3 yards, while Edgar moved to the backfield and rushed for 14 yards.
Albany held Hamlin to 5 total yards, all on the ground. Togia recovered a fumble to set up a score, and Ace Vickers had a sack.
After Hamlin’s touchdown, Albany needed just 11 seconds to respond as Roberson raced 57 yards to score on the first play from scrimmage. Neece ran for the conversion to put Albany ahead to stay just 29 seconds into the game.
Neece capped a seven-play drive late in the first quarter with a 13-yard run.
After the defense held on downs at the Hamlin 36-yard line, Roberson scored on the next play. Aiden Vickers caught Chapman’s pass for the conversion.
On the ensuing kickoff, the ball bounced off a Hamlin player, and Neece recovered at the Albany 48. That set up a six-play drive that ended with Neece’s 3-yard run to give the Cubs a 28-6 halftime lead.
On the opening drive of the third quarter, Albany moved 53 yards in four plays, getting Chapman’s 10-yard TD run. Aiden Vickers took over at quarterback and ran for the conversion.
Eighth Grade
The eighth grade Cubs also had to overcome an early deficit, but they rallied to take a 30-14 lead into the final minute as Jack Nail ran for two touchdowns, with Wesley Gleitz and Zane Green each adding a score.
“Overall, I thought the guys responded after going down early,” coach Ryder Peacock said. “With one game left in their junior high careers, I’ve been impressed with their overall development and growth as a team.”
Albany (5-2-1) had 283 total yards with two 100-yard rushers. Nail finished with 115 yards on 12 carries and Gleitz had 100 yards on five carries. Green added 42 yards on 12 carries.
Gleitz threw just one pass with Sam Vickers making a 26-yard catch.
“Offensively, we moved the ball really well again,” Peacock said. “We only had one drive we didn’t convert into points. Wesley, Jack, and Zane all did a great job of making big plays.”
The success was made possible by solid play up front, Peacock said.
“One of the biggest things I am starting to see is the growth of our offensive lineman and their development of blocking schemes,” he said. “They are really picking up what we are trying to achieve.”
Hamlin gained 216 total yards, 147 of it through the air. Of the Pipers’ 69 rushing yards, 47 came on one play. All three of Hamlin’s touchdowns came on passes.
“Defensively, we did a good job overall,” Peacock said. “We gave up three big plays that helped set Hamlin up for their three scores. Other than those big plays, we did a good job of tackling.”
Peacock said a series of position changes on defense yielded favorable results.
“We moved some guys around this week, allowing them a chance to see what they can do,” the coach said. “Three of the guys we moved came up with some big plays.”
That include an interception by Sam Vickers, a strong pass rush by Casey Estridge, who had a sack and some pressures, and several big tackles by Nail.
After Hamlin scored on the opening drive, Albany used up most of the rest of the first quarter before taking the lead. Nail capped a seven-play drive with a 10-yard run with 14 seconds to go in the period. Gleitz ran for the conversion to put Albany in front to stay.
Hamlin’s big run went for naught when Colter Edgar recovered a fumble at the Albany 13 early in the second quarter. The Cubs put together a 13-play drive that took 7:16 before Gleitz scored on a 6-yard run with 31 seconds left in the half and Green ran for the conversion. A penalty backed Albany up to its 10, but Gleitz’s pass to Vickers got the Cubs out of the hole. Three plays later, Gleitz got loose for a 27-yard gain to the Hamlin 27.
Hamlin took advantage of an Albany penalty to hit a 24-yard TD pass with no time on the clock to get within 16-14.
Albany took control in the third quarter. On the first possession, Nail broke a 52-yard run to set up Green’s 5-yard TD. Gleitz ran for the conversion.
After a defensive stop, Gleitz ran for 44 yards to set up Nail’s 6-yard TD.
Hamlin scored with 42 seconds left in the game but missed the conversion. The Pipers recovered an onside kick and reached the Albany 38 before Vickers’ interception with 10 seconds to go.
