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Lions face Santo in Thursday night game

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By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Lion football team picked up its fourth straight shutout last Friday, entertaining the 2020 homecoming crowd with a 61-0 win over the visiting Ranger Bulldogs.

The Lions are now 6-1 overall, including a 3-0 mark in the District 8-2A  Div. II race.

Albany will be on the road this week for a Thursday evening game in Santo against the Wildcats starting at 7:00 p.m.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Santo will be allowing a maximum of 241 visiting fans into the game. Reservations must be made through the Albany superintendent’s office at 325-762-2823 starting Tuesday morning.

Santo (5-3, 2-1) has lost one district game to Cross Plains, picking up big wins over Ranger and Hico.

Sub-varsity games will be shifted to Friday night this week, with a combined junior high game kicking off at 5:00 p.m. at Robert Nail Stadium. The JV game will follow at about 6:15 p.m.

The switching of the games was made at the beginning of the season in order to allow time for a make-up game within the district schedule if a game had to be postponed due to COVID-19.

The final regular season game was originally set for next Wednesday, Oct. 28 against Cross Plains. However, the game has now been reset for Friday, Oct. 30 with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff since a postponement hasn’t been necessary.

Coach Denney Faith said that the Lions will be working hard to prepare for the Santo game, with one less practice day.

“They run the option a lot, which is different from what we have seen most of the season,” he said.  “We are working with our defense to prepare them.”

The coach was pleased with the result of the Ranger game last week.

“We played well for the homecoming crowd, which is important,” he said. “Ranger is a young, inexperienced opponent, but our guys did a good job of playing at our ability level and not theirs. The guys played  with intensity and didn’t let distractions faze them.”

The team racked up 421 yards of offense this week, while holding the visitors to -49 yards and no first downs.

“The defense had another outstanding game with their fourth shutout,” Faith said. “We didn’t create any turnovers, which is something we will be working on. We missed a couple of interceptions.”

The coach was also pleased with the Lions’ offensive efforts.

“Our passing was efficient going six for six for three touchdowns, and our backs rushed for over 300 yards.”

The coach noted that the rushing was spread out over five backs, and four receivers were used in the passing game.

“Our offensive line continues to play well and provide opportunities for our skilled people to work,” he said.

Faith also commended the coverage teams, along with the extra point kicking team going seven of nine.

“Our PATs are improving,” he said. “We need to be 100 percent, but we are getting there.”

Scoring Summary

Albany – Jaheim Newton runs 15 yards for a touchdown. PAT kick by Ryder Wilkins good. 1st quarter - 10:48. Score 7-0.

Albany – Barrett Beal completes 10-yard pass to Cade Neve for touchdown. PAT kick by Wilkins is good. 1st quarter - 8:49. Score 14-0.

Albany – Beal passes to Cooper Fairchild for 4-yard touchdown. PAT kick by Wilkins good. 1st quarter - 7:38. Score 21-0.

Albany – Beal completes 38-yard pass to Cole Chapman for touchdown.  PAT by Wilkins fails. 1st quarter - 4:20. Score 27-0.

Albany – Coy Lefevre has 51 yard carry for touchdown.  PAT kicked by Wilkins. 2nd quarter - 7:38. Score 34-0.

Albany – Isaiah Dockins runs 26 yards for touchdown.  PAT attempt by Wilkins good. 2nd quarter - 10:10. Score 41-0.

Albany – Taren Farmer runs 5 yards for score.  PAT attempt by Wilkins good. 2nd quarter - 2:53. Score 48-0.

Albany – Brooks Neece runs 41 yards for touchdown. PAT attempt by Wilkins no good. 3rd quarter - 7:27. Score 54-0.

Albany – Dockins runs 9 yards for touchdown. PAT attempt by Wilkins good. 4th quarter - 7:40. Score 61-0.