Lion numbers up for 2019 season
By Donnie A. Lucas
Over 50 players showed up for the first day of summer football practice on Monday, with a total of 54 expected when the full roster is back for the daily workouts to prepare for the 2019 season.
According to head football coach Denney Faith, numbers for the first day of practice were up by six or seven over last season and over 15 above the 2017 numbers.
The group will be led by an equally large senior class numbering 14, compared to the five seniors who helped guided the 2018 team to the state semifinals.
“We lost a good senior class, but they were part of one of the smallest classes to come through in a long time,” the coach said. “A lot of times it comes down to the seniors, and we are looking for this class of seniors to step up and provide the leadership needed for another successful season.”
Faith said that he was happy with what he saw on the first day.
“We had a really good first day, and we were pleased that for the most part they came to practice in shape and ready to work,” he said. “We still have a long way to go, but we could tell the guys did some work over the summer.”
Despite a large number of players who are returning off of last year’s 10-5 team that made it to the fifth round of the playoffs, the coach said that the coaching staff will be moving players around to various positions during practice.
“We will be trying the kids out at different spots looking for the best mix and the best chemistry,” Faith said. “We will be watching to see who has the most potential and how they fit together as a team.”
The Lions continue to build on an 11-year tradition of winning the district championship and going deep in the playoffs. although the Lions got off to an uncharacteristic 0-5 start in pre-district last year – a statistic the coach says they will not be repeating.
Albany is ranked at the top of District 7-2A along with the Hamlin Pipers, who the Lions beat in the regular season and again in the quarterfinal round.
The team battled a combination of younger players at new positions, along with injuries to key players early in the 2018 season.
“Last year we were having to fill a lot of holes left by the senior class the year before,” he said. “This year is very different with most of the guys back and some really good players moving up.”
The coach added that two move-ins joined the team on Monday.
“We have a couple of guys that we think will be able to help us,” he said.
A total of 12 juniors were at practice on the first day, along with 15 sophomores and 13 freshmen.
Practice will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday (today) due to teacher in-service, switching to 8:00 a.m. starting Friday and continuing through next Wednesday. Afternoon practices will start on Aug. 15 with the first day of classes.
The team and individuals will have pictures taken on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Robert Nail Stadium to be used for the football program and newspaper publicity.
The Lions will get their first taste of action on Friday, Aug. 16 in Coleman with scrimmages for both the varsity and the JV.
The Lions will host the Anson Tigers in a second set of scrimmages on Thursday, Aug. 22, followed by the regular season opener in Colorado City on Friday, Aug. 30.
The varsity and JV players will be presented at the annual hamburger and ice cream supper on Monday, Aug. 12 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Bank Park.
