Lions to face Santo in area playoff

A decisive win last week by the Lion football team in the first round of the playoffs sets up what the team, coaches and fans all hope will be another “traditional” playoff run for Albany.

Albany defeated the Rocksprings Angoras 47-7 at San Angelo Stadium, propelling the Lions to the next step in the Class 2A  Div. 2 playoffs, something some might have doubted earlier in the season after a surprising 0-5 non-district start.

The Lions (6-5) will face the Santo Wildcats (10-1), who are fresh off a 63-30 win over Quanah last Friday in Clyde.

The area playoff game is set for Friday in Graham with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff. Albany will serve as the home team, with ticket prices set at $5 for everyone. Passes will be honored.

The Wildcats were the runner-up in District 6-2A, with their lone loss coming at the hands of Windthorst, the district champs. 

The Albany/Santo game in Graham will be followed at 7:00 p.m. by the Hamlin/Windthorst area bout.

“Santo has a good option offense that is tough to defend,” Lion head coach Denney Faith said. “We will have to be disciplined and responsive against their offense. They are going to run the ball a lot.”

The coach said that Santo is equally sound on defense.

The winner of the game will move on to the regional playoff to face the winner of the Haskell/Wheeler area playoff.

Faith said that he was very happy with the first-round playoff win.

“We told the kids that when the playoffs start, it’s like a whole new season. Everyone starts over with a 0-0 record,” he said. “We have had a lot of firsts this year, and last Thursday was no exception. It was the first time for a lot of the kids to play in a varsity game, as well as their first playoff game.”

The coach was alluding to the JV players who took the field for the fourth quarter against the Angoras with the Lions ahead 41-7.

The Lions got off to a slow start against Rocksprings in San Angelo, scoring just once in the first quarter to lead 6-0.

“We pressed too hard early in the game,” the coach said. “But the guys settled down and played really well after that.”

Albany went on to score three more times in the second quarter and add two tallies in the third before the JV came in to score the final touchdown.

The coach commended quarterback Ben West’s passing game, going 12 of 16 for 164 yards to four different receivers, who scored five touchdowns.

“When you are able to spread the ball around like that in your passing game, it puts a lot of pressure on your opponent to defend against the pass,” Faith said.

Likewise, he praised running back Cutter Edgar for racking up 121 yards on 13 carries.

“Cutter had another good running game,” the coach said. “But everything starts with the offensive line and the job they have to do to have that kind of success.”

He added that Rocksprings had the largest defensive front the Lions have faced this season.

Defensively, the Lions held the Angoras to just 131 yards, and 91 yards of that came on one carry.

“The defense played an exceptional game,” Faith said. “Rocksprings used a lot of misdirection, but we played sound defense. Other than a couple of series, we shut them down on third down.”

Faith was pleased that the Lions scored on a 92-yard kickoff return.

“Our special teams had a good game too,” he said. “The coverage teams did a good job and we fielded punts well and got return yardage.”

Faith also praised the JV players who took over in the fourth period.

“We were able to get our young kids some varsity experience, especially since this was a playoff situation,” he said. “They put a good drive together and got a score. They usually are behind the scenes helping us prepare each week of the playoffs, so this was a reward for all that they do during the week and it will make our program better down the road.”

The coach also thanked the Albany fans for supporting the team in a number of ways.

“That was a long road trip to start the playoffs, and we appreciate the fans that came on a weeknight to support us,” he said.

Scoring Summary

Albany – Ben West pass complete to Blaine Kayga for 7-yard touchdown. Kick fails. 1st quarter – 2:10. Score 6-0.

Albany – West pass complete to Dillon Hindman for 24-yard touchdown. Ryan Hill’s kick good. 2nd quarter – 10:30. Score 13-0.

Rocksprings – Christian Montoya runs for 91 yards. Kick by #5 (not listed on program) good. 2nd quarter – 3:49. Score 13-7.

Albany – Rocksprings kickoff returned 92 yards by Cameron Dacus for touchdown. Point after kick by Hill good. 2nd quarter – 3:33. Score 20-7.

Albany – West pass complete to Hill for 29-yard touchdown. Hill’s kick good. 2nd quarter – 0:14. Score 27-7.

Albany – West pass complete to Dacus for 48-yard touchdown. Point after kick by Hill good. 3rd quarter – 9:50. Score 34-7.

Albany – West pass complete to Hindman for 8-yard touchdown. Hill’s kick good. 3rd quarter – 6:39. Score 41-7.

Albany –Cooper Fairchild runs for 1-yard touchdown. 2-point conversion run no good. 4th quarter – 2:00. Score 47-7.