Lions claim post-season recognition
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions claimed 10 spots on the Texas Hometown Football Class 2A Division II all-state team, including three by one player, after winning the program’s first state championship since 1961.
The all-state team was selected by the Texas Hometown Football Facebook page, which is devoted to promoting Texas UIL Class 1A, 2A, and 3A high school football, bands, and cheerleaders.
Junior Adam Hill was named MVP for his production on both sides of the ball. Senior Coy Lefevre was tabbed offensive MVP. Junior Zane Waggoner was named Utility MVP in addition to being selected for the offensive line and punter.
Offensively, Hill rushed for 1,424 yards and 23 touchdowns while catching 20 passes for 378 yards and eight scores.
On defense, Hill recorded 100 total tackles, including 60 solo, with 8½ sacks among 21½ tackles for loss. He also recorded 13 hurries, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a blocked punt. He added touchdowns on a blocked punt return and a fumble return.
Lefevre rushed for 1,074 yards and 19 touchdowns despite missing four games. He caught 21 passes for 371 yards and five TDs.
Waggoner and classmate Lanxton Viertel were the only teammates on the offensive line. The duo helped pave the way for a team that averaged 382.4 total yards and 45.3 points per game.
At punter, Waggoner averaged 40.6 yards on 22 attempts with four kicks downed inside the 20.
Also selected on offense were seniors Cole Chapman at quarterback and London Fuentes at wide receiver.
Chapman, who missed four games in the middle of the season with an injury, finished 94 of 154 passing for 1,462 yards and 19 touchdowns with just two interceptions in addition to rushing for 439 yards and six TDs.
Despite starting three games at quarterback in Chapman’s absence, Fuentes caught 30 passes for 502 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed for 243 yards and two scores.
Earning honors on defense were senior Jayden Lucas at linebacker and junior Wyatt Windham at defensive back.
Lucas recorded 119 total tackles (44 solo) with 12 tackles for loss and two sacks. He recovered three fumbles.
Windham finished as Albany’s leading tackler with 122 total (67 solo) with 6½ tackles for loss. He also had five interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries.
