Lions to face Windthorst at area
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lion football team racked up a 56-7 bi-district win last Thursday to advance to the area playoff against Windthorst on Friday in Graham.
Kickoff in Graham is set for 7:00 p.m. All tickets will be $5 at the gate with the usual senior citizen, district, and coaches’ passes accepted.
The Trojans (9-2, 5-0) were the district champs in District 6-2A, beating Shamrock last week in the bi-district round, 53-16.
“They have a really good team,” head coach Denney Faith said. “They spread you out and throw the ball a lot, but they can run too. They have a good quarterback with a good arm, along with one kid they like to throw the ball to who can also run the ball.”
The coach said that like past Windthorst teams, the Trojans are very aggressive and very fast on defense.
“They play with a lot of discipline, plus it is always a bigger challenge playing a district champion,” the coach said. “They run a lot of different formations trying to out-flank you or hide someone, so we are going to have to read them, get lined up right and play smart on defense.”
Windthorst has dropped two games this season including a 73-20 loss to Hawley. The Lions were also edged out by Div. I Hawley, 22-20, early in the season.
It is expected that the winner of the game will move on next week to face Wellington, the anticipated winner of the Wellington/Christoval area game.
Lions Tame Miles
Albany had little trouble beating the Miles Bulldogs, 56-7 last Thursday at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood. The Lions scored four times in just over the first 12 minutes of the game before Miles answered with their lone tally of the bout.
“Miles had a plan to stop our running game with an eight-man front,” Faith said. “So they forced us to throw the ball, which we were able to do with success. With them playing man-coverage on our receivers and everyone else in the box, we were able to hit some big passing plays.”
The coach said the Lions returned to a two-back set in the second half, allowing them to run the ball more.
“Our backs ran well, and Ben (West) had a couple of nice runs at quarterback for first downs,” the coach said. “Blaine Kayga and Dillon Hindman made some big catches for us.”
Running backs Jaheim Newton, Robert Bailey, and Hindman were praised by the coach.
The coach was also pleased with the Lions’ defensive efforts.
“The guys did a good job, allowing just one drive for a touchdown in the second period,” Faith said. “We scored on defense too, with Jeb Becker forcing a fumble and Robert Bailey picking it up and scoring.”
The coach commended Blaine Kayga, who returned a punt for a TD.
“We still need to get our PATs down better, so we will be spending time on that this week,” he said.
The Lions should be getting B.J. Morris and Monte Cauble back off the injury bench this week, but Parker Henry will be out for the rest of the season with a hand injury.
Scoring Summary
Albany – 1st quarter – 8:08. Blaine Kayga returns a Miles punt 73 yards to score. PAT attempt by Colby Hargett fails. Score 6-0.
Albany – 1st quarter – 4:00. Ben West completes pass to Cade Neve for 51-yard score. PAT by Hargett is good. Score 13-0.
Albany – 1st quarter – 3:43. Robert Bailey recovers Miles fumble and runs 33 yards for score. PAT by Hargett is good. Score 20-0.
Albany – 2nd quarter – 11:43. West pass complete to Jaheim Newton for 9-yard touchdown. Kick by Hargett is good. Score 27-0.
Miles – 2nd quarter – 3:41. Davian Martinez pass complete to Gavin Martinez for 14-yard touchdown. Kick by Logan Yancy is good. Score 27-7.
Albany – 2nd quarter – 2:04. West completes 30-yard pass to Dillon Hindman for touchdown. Kick by Hargett is good. Score 34-7.
Albany – 2nd quarter - 0:24. West completes 13-yard pass to Hindman for touchdown. Hargett kicks PAT. Score 41-7.
Albany – 3rd period – 6:53. Hindman runs one yard for touchdown. Hargett kicks PAT. Score 48-7.
Albany – 4th period – 8:14. Newton runs 5 yards for touchdown. Two-point conversion pass good from West to Brayden Sullivan. Score 56-7.
