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Lion offense explodes in Meridian

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By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions took care of business last Friday in their District 8-2A Division II opener, defeating Meridian 84-7 at Yellow Jacket Stadium.

“We wanted to make sure we started out district on a good note,” Lions head coach Denney Faith said. “I was really pleased with the way our kids played. Sometimes you can get in games like that, and it gets sloppy.”

The Lions were able to avoid that scenario even after turning the game over to their junior varsity players, who were called up because Meridian is not fielding a JV team.

“Outside of a couple of penalties we shouldn’t have had, I think for the most part it was a good, clean game,” Faith said. “Our kids played hard. It was a good victory for us to be able to start district 1-0.”

The Lions (6-0 overall) amassed 645 total yards, averaging 18.4 yards per snap and scored on all but one of their 12 possessions. And they did it without running back Jaheim Newton, who was held out with an ankle injury.

Coy Lefevre, making his first appearance of the season, Brooks Neece, Robert Bailey, and London Fuentes each scored two touchdowns as eight Albany players found the end zone. It was the third time this season at least six Albany players have scored TDs.

Lefevre was the leading rusher with 94 yards on just four carries. Four other ballcarriers had at least 44 yards.

Cole Chapman was eight of 10 passing for 191 yards and touchdowns of 13 yards to Fuentes and 75 yards to Samuel Rosas. Chapman completed passes to six receivers. Cooper Fairchild, who caught three passes for 32 yards, was the only Lion with more than one reception.

“Our defense shut them down and didn’t let them get anything most of the game,” Bailey said. “And our offense was unstoppable.”

The one scoreless drive had a 44-yard touchdown run by Rosas negated on a penalty. Albany reached the Meridian 18-yard line, but elected to let the clock run out at the end of the first half.

Albany limited Meridian (1-6) to just 27 total yards, all rushing, and four first downs. 

Ryan Mark led the ­Lions with 4.5 tackles, while Wyatt Beard had four and Lefevre 3.5. Twenty-one Albany players recorded tackles. The Lions had nine tackles for loss and four takeaways.

“We just practiced it all week,” linebacker Koy Cauble said. “Coach told us to watch out for No. 9, and we took care of him.”

The Yellow Jackets failed to complete any of their five pass attempts with three intercepted by the Lions. Bailey picked off two, setting up his TD runs  of 15 and 40 yards on the ensuing drives. Fuentes returned the other interception 65 yards for his third return TD in the last three games.

Fuentes also had a 36-yard punt return to set up his TD reception.

Albany wasted no time in seizing control of the game. On the second play, Cauble forced a fumble that Fairchild recovered at the Meridian 24. Lefevre’s TD run on Albany’s first play was called back on a penalty, but Neece scored from 20 yards out on the next play to start the rout.

The Lions scored quickly all night, having just three series last more than four plays. The Lions had two one-play possessions and five that lasted just two plays.

In addition to getting district play off to a successful start, the Lions
were able to give the JV team ample playing time. The group took over with about three minutes left in the third quarter and produced a 95-yard scoring drive.

“Since they didn’t get a game this week, for them to be able to get a full quarter-plus of playing time was good for them,” Faith said. “They played well, also.”

The callups did enough in their own right to win the game as Branson Beal and Ashton Bailey scored on long runs in the fourth quarter. The only time Albany faced fourth down in the game produced a 39-yard touchdown pass from Lute Wheeler to Cason Fairchild.

“It’s good for those guys to get that Friday night experience,” Faith said. “It’s going to help us down the road, getting as many kids as much playing time as possible. It keeps morale high and keeps everybody excited about getting to play.”

Albany led 41-0 in the second quarter before Bernal got loose against the JV kickoff unit. The return came between Fuentes’ interception return and Rosas’ reception as the teams combined for three touchdowns in a span of 1.21 minutes.

Facing Hico

The Lions are back home to host the Hico Tigers at 7:00 p.m. Friday at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium. The winner will be in sole possession of first place in the district standings.

“In a five-team district, to get to 2-0 puts you in the driver’s seat and almost assures you of a playoff spot,” Faith said. “Of course, just a playoff spot is not what we’re looking for. We’re looking for a district championship.”

Albany cannot officially clinch a playoff berth with a victory because Meridian has the bye in the district schedule this week.