Lions defeat Hawley in tough 27-14 battle
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions put together the kind of defensive performance that will have fans dreaming big in their 27-14 victory over the Hawley Bearcats on Friday, Sept. 15.
The Lions (4-0) wrap up the nondistrict portion of their schedule at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 at Comanche.
Against Hawley in a matchup of reigning state champions, the Lions were the epitome of bend-but-don’t-break, stopping the Bearcats in plus territory seven times in 11 possessions, including five in a row in the second half. The game was moved to Hardin-Simmons University’s Shelton Stadium because of unplayable conditions at Hawley’s Forrest Field.
“We knew it was going to be kind of a measuring stick playing a really good football team,” Lions head coach Denney Faith said. “Our guys responded, and we had a really great week of practice, which led to having the success we had on the field against a very talented Hawley team. They’ve got so many weapons offensively that they can really put you in a bind, but our defense held up admirably.”
In the overall scheme of things, Faith said, the victory was just the latest step in a process he hopes will last for a few more months.
“This was a great opportunity to play a game that had a playoff atmosphere,” he said. “But when it’s all said and done, it really didn’t mean anything except we wanted to be a better football team when the game was over. I think we were.”
With Albany holding a 13-point halftime lead, Hawley drove to the Lion 8-yard line on its first series of the third quarter. Albany stuffed a first-down run for no gain, and a false-start penalty pushed the Bearcats back. Then Albany’s Calhan Fairchild delivered a big hit to break up a pass to Hawley receiver Tate Scott, who had both hands on the ball and one foot down. The next play saw Zane Waggoner and Adam Hill sack Hawley quarterback Keagan Ables at the 16, and Huffman Heatly broke up the fourth down pass in the end zone.
A shanked punt allowed Hawley to start its next series at the Albany 30, but Lanxton Viertel came through with a sack on third down, and heavy pressure from Hill forced an incompletion on fourth.
Hawley recovered an Albany fumble to take over at its own 47 late in the third quarter and drove to first-and-goal at the Albany 1 only to be denied again. Three plays netted zero yards and another penalty pushed the Bearcats back. Then Ables’ fourth-down pass to the end zone was tipped by Luke Marshall with Calhan Fairchild snagging the interception.
With 6:29 remaining, Hawley took over at the Albany 24 following an interception and failed to gain a first down. Hill’s sack left the Bearcats facing third-and-22, and Hawley turned it over on downs at the 19 with 5:23 to go.
When the Bearcats got the ball back, just 47 seconds remained in the game.
“It just goes to our preparation and being able to execute,” Faith said.
Jaxson Hoel and Waggoner were each in on 14 tackles as the Lions allowed Hawley 314 total yards. Tyler Chapman and Branson Beal got in on 11 apiece, while Hill and Vier-tel each recorded eight.
Albany had five sacks among nine tackles for loss and two takeaways. Hawley was just 3 for 12 on third-down conversions and 0 for 6 on fourth downs.
The Lions finished with 438 yards behind a balanced attack. Chip Chambers was 12 of 24 passing for 222 yards and three touchdowns, while Adam Hill rushed for 178 yards and a score. Cason Fairchild caught four passes for 108 yards and two TDs with Beal getting 70 yards and a score on four receptions.
Albany built its lead by scoring on its first four possessions, but had to come from behind twice after Hawley drove the opening kickoff 56 yards in just three plays. Landon Sykora’s 5-yard run and Ables’ conversion pass to Scott gave the Bearcats an 8-0 lead just 52 seconds into the game.
“That was a situation where our kids could have panicked and gotten in the mode where it was going to be a long night, but they came back, and we had a good drive,” Faith said. “I think that just goes to the experience our kids have knowing it’s a long game. You don’t have to panic; just execute the game plan and let’s go.”
The Lions responded with a 10-play, 70-yard drive that resulted in Beal’s 13-yard TD catch, but a failed conversion left Albany trailing by two points.
The situation was soon dealt with as the defense stopped Hawley on downs at the Albany 26, and the offense needed just four plays. On first down from the 40, Chambers hit Cason Fairchild for a 60-yard score.
The Bearcats battled back with their own 10-play drive, capped by Scott’s 15-yard TD reception with 9:08 to go in the half. On another two-point try, Viertel intercepted a batted pass and almost returned it for two points that would have put Albany back in front.
Instead, Hill popped loose for a 57-yard touchdown on the first play of the ensuing series to give the Lions the lead for good at 20-14.
Hawley’s lone punt of the night set up another 10-play drive on which the Lions converted twice on third downs. A holding penalty on fourth-and-1 pushed Albany back, but Chambers connected with Cason Fairchild from 29 yards out with 3:46 left in the half.
“What hurt us the second half were the turnovers, and then we had drives going that penalties put us behind the chains,” Faith said. “We were able to move the ball in spurts in the second half; we just shot ourselves in the foot. We’ve got to get that stuff cleaned up.”
Facing Comanche
The Lions get one last test before district when they visit Indian Stadium.
Comanche (3-1) is coming off a 41-18 loss to Tolar, but outscored its first three opponents 164-8.
“We know they’re going to run the football,” Faith said. “That’s kind of what they lean on, getting behind a big line with some big backs. It’s going to be a little bit different than what we’ve seen the last couple of weeks.”
The goal for the Lions, Faith said, is to be adequately prepared for the start of district play.
“We just want to play well and make sure we stay healthy, do the things we need to do to make a good district run,” he said.
Ticket Information
All tickets must be purchased online at www.comancheisd.net/page/Athletic%20Tickets. General admission tickets are $5 for adults and students.
The stadium is behind the high school campus, located off State Highway 16. Visitor parking is north of the field. The visitors entrance is at the northwest corner of the stadium.
