Jr. high teams pick up wins in Haskell
By Sam Waller
The Albany Junior High Cubs football teams made their first road trip of the season a successful one last Thursday, both picking up victories at Haskell.
The seventh grade team improved to 2-0 with a 16-8 victory, while the eighth grade team won 32-0.
Both teams return to the road Thursday (today) with games at Anson. The seventh grade will play at 4:00 p.m., followed by the eighth grade and junior varsity.
Seventh Grade
Albany made the most of its opportunities, scoring touchdowns on the only two offensive possessions it had.
The Cubs improved to 2-0 with the victory.
Jack Nail capped the first drive with a 16-yard run.
Albany then ate up almost the entire second half with an 11-minute drive culminating in Wesley Gleitz’s 15-yard TD run.
Colter Edgar converted both touchdowns on passes from Gleitz.
“Jack, Colter, and Wesley did a good job of taking care of the ball and picking up big runs at the right time,” coach Ryder Peacock said. “I thought the offensive line blocked well overall to allow us to keep our possessions going.”
Peacock credited defensive ends Nicholas Gjerpe and Zane Green with leading the defense.
“Both guys did a good job of keeping the opposing offense under control,” Peacock said.
Eighth Grade
Calhan Fairchild had touchdowns rushing and passing as the eighth grade Cubs improved to 3-0 on the season.
Albany took an early 8-0 lead when Brody Oliver connected with Huffman Heatly on a 25-yard touchdown pass. Oliver added the conversion run.
Fairchild followed with a 16-yard touchdown run. On Haskell’s ensuing possession, Fairchild and Shawn Keen combined on a big hit on the Haskell quarterback for a safety and a 16-0 lead.
Breylon Billington capped the Cubs’ next drive with a 39-yard touchdown run. Billington also ran for the conversion.
Albany’s final touchdown came on a 22-yard pass from Calhan Fairchild to Cade Fairchild. Keen ran for the conversion.
“I thought our line – Ryan Turner, Jackson Shack, Tristan Howe, James Knight, and Gatlin Wills – played well," coach David Fairchild said. “All our backs ran well – Lane Helle, Calhan Fairchild, Billington, and Keen.
The coach added that receivers Heatly, Billington, Cade Fairchild, and Mason McCloy were all targeted during the game.
“Defensively, Calhan Fairchild and Keen had a big night,” the coach said. “Oliver, Heatly, Peterson, and Helle played well defensively.”
