Lions claim spots on Preps squads
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions continue to receive recognition for their performance in winning the 2022 Class 2A Division II state championship, claiming 17 spots on the All-Big Country Preps football teams released last week.
Albany had 12 players honored with four selected on both offense and defense. That was topped off by head coach Denney Faith sharing the Coach of the Year superlative award with Hawley’s Mitch Ables.
In their 14-4 run to state, the Lions’ only losses were to Hawley, the 2A Division I champion, and Class 3A Division II area finalist Comanche. Both came with key starters sidelined by injuries.
“I think the thing I’ll remember most about the year is how selfless our kids were,” Faith told the website. “It seemed like each week somebody else was the hero or the star, and it was just a really fun year.”
Albany had three first-team selections in junior offensive lineman Zane Waggoner, junior defensive lineman Adam Hill, and senior defensive back London Fuentes. All three also received honorable mention on the other side of the ball.
Waggoner followed up an all-state sophomore campaign with another outstanding season as a junior, grading out at 96 percent to earn district Offensive Lineman of the Year recognition. He had 92 pancake blocks for a team that averaged 382.4 total yards and 45.3 points per game. He was an honorable mention pick as a defensive lineman after making 60 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, two fumble recoveries, two blocked punts, and a blocked extra point.
Hill, the district MVP, recorded 105 total tackles with 22½ tackles for loss, 8½ sacks, 14 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, nine pass breakups, and a blocked kick. The junior earned honorable mention at running back after rushing for 1,526 yards and 24 touchdowns on 185 carries and catching 23 passes for 449 yards and eight more TDs.
Fuentes was a lockdown defensive back for Albany, intercepting seven passes and breaking up 13 more. He recorded 54 tackles (23 solo) with three tackles for loss. He was honorable mention wide receiver with 31 receptions for 516 yards and six TDs.
Two players were named to the All-Big Country Preps third team, both on defense.
Senior defensive lineman Tye Edgar had 102 total tackles (45 solo) with 16 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 15 quarterback pressures, two fumble recoveries, and three pass breakups to earn first-team all-district honors.
Junior defensive back Wyatt Windham was solid all season, finishing the year with 79 solo tackles, 61 assists, 8½ tackles for loss, five interceptions (one returned for a TD), 11 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Five other Lions received honorable mention.
Senior quarterback Cole Chapman completed 102 of 171 passes for 1,555 yards with 19 TDs and just two interceptions. He also rushed for 568 yards and seven TDs on 72 carries.
Senior Coy Lefevre was selected at both running back and linebacker. On offense, he rushed for 1,139 yards and 23 TDs on 131 carries and caught 23 passes for 378 yards and five scores. On defense, he had 42 solo tackles, 42 assists, five tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and four interceptions, three returned for scores.
Junior Cason Fairchild was a wide receiver pick, catching 33 passes for 489 yards and four TDs, and junior Lanxton Viertel was selected as an offensive lineman after grading out at 94 percent with 75 pancakes.
Senior Samuel Rosas was tabbed at linebacker with 41 solos tackles, 45 assists, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and 16 pass breakups.
Two other Albany players received special recognition. Senior Jayden Lucas was named to the True Grit Team, while sophomore Branson Beal earned a spot on the Rising Stars Team.
True Grit players exemplify character traits football coaches want on their rosters.
“Jayden became very versatile for us with injuries to other players,” Faith said. “He started at defensive tackle, inside linebacker, and outside linebacker. He plays with a very high motor and is one of our most aggressive kids, who never wants to come off the field even playing with injuries. He is not a big kid but plays with a big heart.”
Rising Stars are the area’s top freshman and sophomore players. Beal was a utility pick for his work at running back and receiver.
“He was integral for our team when a starter went out at running back,” Faith said. “He is quick as a cat and hard to get on the ground. He doesn’t leave any yardage on the field when he has the ball.”
