Lions to face Ranger in homecoming bout
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lion football team will be back at home this week to host the Ranger Bulldogs in a homecoming game as the District 8-2A race continues. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Robert Nail Stadium.
Homecoming was originally scheduled on Oct. 2 against Meri-dian, but even though the game itself was played, homecoming activities were postponed because of a spike in COVID-19 cases at the local high school.
Homecoming royalty will be presented during halftime of this Friday’s game against Ranger.
Albany traveled to Hico last Friday for a district game, earning a 55-0 shutout over the Tigers in the first-ever meeting between the two squads.
The Lions (5-1) are undefeated in district at 2-0 after the win in Hico and another 60-0 romp over the Meridian Yellowjackets the week before that opened the district race.
Ranger is entering the homecoming match-up with a 0-6 record for the season, including two losses in District 8-2A. The Bulldogs fell to Santo, 60-0, the first week of district, and lost last Friday to Meridian, 62-0.
“We haven’t played Ranger in several years,” coach Denney Faith said. “We do know they are really low in numbers this year with only 13 to 15 players.”
The coach said that the Lions need to continue to use each game in the season to improve.
“We need to stay focused, play hard, and continue to work on several areas,” Faith said.
The Lions will play Santo and Cross Plains to finish the regular season.
Faith said that the Lions showed improvement in several areas against Hico compared to the prior week.
“We were really focused from the start this week,” he said. “We also had only three penalties in the game, which was a huge improvement over the previous week.”
The Lions dominated not only the scoreboard in the game with 504 yards of offense, but also held the Tigers to 29 yards of total offense and one first down.
“The defense did a great job playing with a lot of effort and physicality,” Faith said.
The coach was pleased with the offensive balance that the team has played with this season.
“It was another good game with 343 yards rushing and 161 yards passing,” he said. “Our offensive line blocked really well and allowed our backs to have a big night.”
Faith praised Coy Lefevre for rushing for 190 yards and five touchdowns, plus having a fifth tally on a pass reception.
“Our receivers and backs all had a good night, and again, that can be attributed to how well our offensive line played,” he said.
Quarterback Barrett Beal was eight of 12 in the air for 161 yards.
“Cole Chapman and Luke Ivy also had good games catching the ball,” Faith said.
The Lions’ leading rusher for the season thus far, Jaheim Newton, did not play in the game out of precaution to allow an ankle injury continue to heal from the prior week.
“We also lost Robert Bailey on the first play of the game with a knee injury,” Faith said. “We aren’t sure how serious he is hurt, but he is a solid kid in the weight room, which probably prevented it from being any worse.”
The coach said that the coverage teams played well, and he noted that Ryder Wilkins kicked seven of eight PATs for the team.
Scoring Summary
Albany – Coy Lefevre runs 50 yards for a touchdown. PAT kick by Ryder Wilkins is good. 1st quarter - 11:27. Score 7-0.
Albany – Lefevre scores on 3-yard run. PAT kick by Wilkins is good. 1st quarter - 7:19. Score 14-0.
Albany – Lefevre runs 22 yards for touchdown. PAT kick by Wilkins is good. 1st quarter - 4:20. Score 21-0.
Albany – Lefevre runs 63 yards for touchdown. PAT kicked by Wilkins. 1st quarter - 2:39. Score 28-0.
Albany – Isaiah Dockins runs in 2-yard carry for touchdown. PAT kicked by Wilkins. 2nd quarter - 7:38. Score 35-0.
Albany – Lefevre runs for 34-yard touchdown. PAT attempt by Wilkins good. 2nd quarter - 0:43. Score 42-0.
Albany – Barrett Beal pass complete to Lefevre for 5-yard touchdown. PAT by Wilkins is good. 3rd quarter - 7:53. Score 49-0.
Albany – Dockins runs 24 yards for touchdown. PAT attempt by Wilkins fails. 4th quarter - 11:52. Score 55-0.
