Lions dominate all-district football selections
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lion football team garnered a total of 25 spots on the 8-2A All-District teams, dominating the superlative awards with four out of the five top spots.
The Lions were awarded a total of 14 first-team honors and six second team positions.
The Lions won the district championship with a 5-0 district mark, advancing to the third round of the playoffs to end the season with a 10-2 record after suffering an 18-13 loss to Windthorst in the Region II semifinal playoffs last Friday in Breckenridge.
Albany competed in the first of two seasons in a new district line-up that also includes Cross Plains, Santo, Ranger, Hico, and Meridian.
“I felt like we were really well-represented,” head football coach Denney Faith said. “It shows the respect that our program has in the district with the recognition of so many of our players.”
Topping the list of honors were the five superlative or MVP awards, with the Lions named to four positions.
Senior Barrett Beal, quarterback, was named the district’s MVP, while junior Jaheim Newton was tapped as the Offensive MVP.
Senior Wesley Estridge was named as Lineman of the Year by the district coaches, and sophomore Coy Lefevre was selected as the Newcomer of the Year.
Senior Everett McWhorter was the recipient of the All-District Pride Award for Albany.
The Lions took nine places on the first team offense and five on the defensive side, along with six spots on the second teams.
Complete results of District 7-2A honors follows with Albany players listed in italics.
Superlatives
Overall MVP – Barrett Beal, senior - Albany.
Offensive MVP – Jaheim Newton, junior - Albany.
Defensive MVP – Cody McWilliams, senior - Cross Plains.
Lineman of the Year – Wesley Estridge, senior - Albany.
Newcomer of the Year – Coy Lefevre, sophomore - Albany.
Coach/Staff of the Year – Albany.
1st Team Offense
Quarterback – Case Proc-ter - Santo.
Running Backs – Cody McWilliams - Cross Plains. Billy Sandoval - Santo.
Fullbacks – Brooks Neece, junior - Albany. Elijah Pennington - Santo.
Center – Bryce Asher, junior - Albany.
Offensive Line – Ryder Wilkins, senior - Albany. Monte Cauble - junior - Albany. Keegan Tillery - Cross Plains. Brenden McKinney - Hico. Jaiden Hollingsworth - Santo.
Tight End – Cooper Fairchild, junior - Albany. Reese Polk - Hico.
Wide Receiver – Cole Chapman, sophomore - Albany. Cade Neve, senior - Albany. Ketch Thomas - Cross Plains. Andrews Sanders - Santo.
Kicker – Ryder Wilkins - Albany.
Punter – Andrew Sanders - Santo.
Offensive Utility – Robert Bailey, junior - Albany.
1st Team Defense
Defensive Line/DE – Parker Henry, senior - Albany. Taren Farmer, junior - Albany. Riley Conlee - Cross Plains. Brenden McKinney - Hico.
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker – Cooper Fairchild, junior - Albany. Jacob Farquhar - Santo.
Inside Linebacker – Brooks Neece, junior - Albany. Jake Bryan - Santo.
Cornerback – Luke Ivy, junior - Albany. Andrew Sanders - Santo.
Safety – Cason Allen - Cross Plains. Case Procter - Santo.
Defensive Utility – Keith Thomas - Cross Plans. Angel Gonzales - Hico.
2nd Team Offense -
Albany Recipients Only
Offensive Line – Brodey Jones, senior - Albany. Parker Henry, senior - Albany.
2nd Team Defense -
Albany Recipients Only
Defensive Line – William Webb, senior - Albany. Ty Everitt, junior - Albany.
Defensive End/OLB – Ryan Mark, junior - Albany.
Inside Linebacker – Isaiah Dockins, senior - Albany.
