Lions to face Coleman in first scrimmage
By Donnie A. Lucas
With almost two weeks of practice under their belts, the Albany Lions are itching for some competition.
The JV and varsity Lions will travel to Coleman on Friday for a set of scrimmages starting at 5:30 p.m. with junior varsity. The varsity scrimmage will follow.
The Lions will open home action at Robert Nail Stadium next Thursday, Aug. 22 against the Anson Tigers in the second and final scrimmage.
While no admission will be charged for the practice game, fans will be asked once again to donate to the Texas High School Coaches Association’s benevolence fundraiser – “Our Day to Shine.”
The regular season will start in Colorado City on Friday, Aug. 30 with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Longtime Albany head football coach Denney Faith says that summer workouts have gone really well.
“The kids are working hard and are excited to get the season started,” Faith said. “Their enthusiasm and attitudes have been great.”
The Lions are returning 14 seniors, mostly starters last year, after a small graduating class that included just five players.
“Scrimmages help us determine if we have kids in the best positions,” he said. “How they play in the scrimmages will tell us if what we are thinking is right, or if we have more work to do.”
The coach said the Lions are further along in some ways this year.
“We are learning the defensive side of the game much faster than the offense, but that is usually how it works,” Faith said. “The kids have to spend time together to get the timing down and learn how to communicate and cue off of each other.”
The coach said that the Lions are working with several new receivers, plus three sophomore running backs.
“It is going to take a while for them to adjust to being in those skilled positions on offense,” he said. “We are really excited to have four returning starters on our offensive line. We have a lot of experience there, which should make a big difference.”
While the coach said there are still question marks at a few slots, he feels confident that the -Lions will crack the code for another successful season.
“We have got the talent,” he said. “It comes down to mostly timing issues and keeping the guys from playing hesitantly. We need to experience the speed of live action, which the scrimmages will give us.”
The Lions advanced to the state semifinal game last season, overcoming a rough start of 0-5 in pre-district to win five straight for an 11th consecutive district title and march five more rounds in the playoffs.
“We are getting the guys ready to go,” Faith said. “Expectations are high, and we have set our goals appropriately for another great season.”
Faith is just one win short of reaching career wins of 300 games.
The Lions have adopted the slogan of “United We Can” for the 2019 season.
