Lions dominate all-district picks with 29
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions dominated the District 6-2A Division II race on their way to winning a state championship.
They were rewarded for the efforts with 29 selections on the all-district team, selected by vote of the district coaches after the district schedule ended several weeks ago, but the team was not announced until after the Lions defeated Mart 41-21 on Wednesday, Dec. 14, in the Class 2A Division II state championship game.
Albany never trailed in going 5-0 in district, posting three shutouts while allowing 24 total points. The Lions’ average margin of victory was 51.6 points.
Albany claimed five of seven superlative honors in addition to receiving 15 spots on the first team and eight on the second team with one player receiving honorable mention. Six players were named at multiple spots.
Junior running back-defensive end Adam Hill was voted district MVP after making an impact on both sides of the ball. 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.
Senior linebacker Coy Lefevre was named defensive MVP after recording 78 total tackles (40 solo) with five tackles for loss, a sack and three hurries. He added four interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns, and a fumble recovery.
Lefevre was also a first-team selection at running back, rushing for 1,074 yards and 19 touchdowns despite missing four games. He caught 21 passes for 371 yards and five TDs.
Junior Zane Waggoner was named Offensive Lineman of the Year, anchoring a unit that saw seven linemen receive district honors. The group paved the way for a team that averaged 382.4 total yards and 45.3 points per game.
Among the other offensive linemen, Lanxton Viertel, Tye Edgar, and Cole Read were voted to the first team, Wyatt Beard and Landon Balliew were second-team selections, and Parker Shelton received honorable mention.
Waggoner was also named to the first team as a defensive lineman and punter. On defense, he made 57 total tackles (31 solo) with seven tackles for loss and a sack, a fumble recovery and three blocked kicks. At punter, he averaged 40.6 yards on 22 attempts with four kicks downed inside the 20.
Junior wide receiver Cason Fairchild was named Offensive Newcomer of the Year after catching 33 passes for 489 yards and four touchdowns as well as rushing for 51 yards on nine carries. Fairchild was also a second-team selection at safety, recording 58 total tackles (31 solo) with six interceptions (two TD returns), 11 pass breakups and three fumble recoveries.
Junior Tyler Chapman shared Defensive Newcomer of the Year with Dillon Medina of Miles. Chapman played anywhere from down lineman to pass coverage, finishing with 59 total tackles (21 solo) with six tackles for loss, 1½ sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Chapman was also the first-team tight end, catching three passes for 11 yards and a touchdown.
Senior quarterback Cole Chapman was named to the first team despite missing four games, including the first two district contests, with an injury. He finished 94 of 154 passing for 1,462 yards an 19 touchdowns with just two interceptions in addition to rushing for 439 yards and six TDs.
Senior wide receiver-safety-kicker London Fuentes matched Waggoner by being selected at three positions, earning first-team honors on offense and defense while making the second team at kicker. Despite starting three games at quarterback in Cole Chapman’s absence, Fuentes caught 30 passes for 502 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed for 243 yards and two scores.
On defense, Fuentes led Albany with seven interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and 12 pass breakups to go with 51 total tackles (23 solo) and three tackles for loss. As a kicker, Fuentes made 82 of 89 extra points and three of six field goals with a long kick of 41 yards. He scored a total of 150 points, adding three touchdowns on kick returns.
Edgar was another two-way pick, making the first-team defense at defensive end. The senior had 90 total tackles (41 solo) with 14½ for loss, eight sacks, 15 hurries, and two fumble recoveries.
Also on the first-team defense were senior linebackers Koy Cauble, Samuel Rosas, and Jayden Lucas along with junior safety Wyatt Windham.
Cauble had 119 total tackles (45 solo) with eight tackles for losses, 2½ sacks, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery at inside linebacker.
Rosas, an outside linebacker, had 78 total tackles (36 solo) with two tackles for loss, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 15 pass breakups.
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.
Lucas, another inside linebacker, was named the defensive utility player with 119 total tackles (44 solo) with 12 tackles for loss and two sacks. He recovered three fumbles.
Sophomore Branson Beal was named to the second-team offense at running back. Beal rushed for 393 yards and three TDs, while catching 12 passes for 147 yards and a score.
Beard was also named to the second team as a defensive tackle, making 28 total tackles (eight solo) with two tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt.
Senior Keatin Russell was named to the second team defense at outside linebacker. He made 45 total tackles (25 solo) with 2½ tackles for loss (one sack), 10 pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries.
Junior Lute Wheeler was a second-team defensive selection at safety. He made 13 total tackles (seven solo) with one tackle for loss.
