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Lions face Windthorst at regional level

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By Donnie A. Lucas

Coming off a three-week break from action, it took the Lion football team most of the first quarter to get back into a rhythm that led to a 56-22 win over the Ralls Jackrabbits in the area playoff last week.

The Class 2A Div. II area win advances Albany to the regional semifinal game against a familiar foe.

The Lions (11-1) will face the Windthorst Trojans (11-1) on Friday in Breckenridge for the third round of the playoffs. Kickoff at Buckaroo Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m.

The Lions will serve as the home team, with tickets available in advance online only for $6 per person. Fans need to go to the Albany ISD website and look for the link to purchase tickets. Senior citizen, district, and coaches passes will not be accepted.

The two teams were both winners of their respective districts – the Lions winning District 8-2A and the Trojans the champs for District 7-2A.

Both teams have 11-1 records, both losing to Hamlin. The Lions fell to the Pipers 42-6, while Windthorst lost 14-0.

“Windthorst is a very disciplined team with a long history of making the playoffs,” coach Denney Faith said. “They have an outstanding quarterback, a couple of good running backs, and a receiver that is the best we have seen this season.”

Faith summed it up by saying the Trojans are “very formidable on offense and very sound on defense.”

The two teams met in the area round of the playoffs last year, with Windthorst winning the bout 24-20.

The winner of the game will move on to face the winner of the Hamlin vs. Muenster regional semifinal.

“Windthorst runs a lot of formations,” Faith said. “The challenge for us will be to read that, line up correctly, and tackle well. We can’t get fooled by their changing formations.”

The coach added that the key for the Lions will be to eliminate turnovers and not get in trouble with penalties.

The Lions will practice at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday – Thanksgiving Day – which has become a tradition of its own.

“The guys are excited and looking forward to playing them again this year,” Faith said.

Lions Dominate Ralls

The Lions scored first late in the first quarter but ramped up their attack to lead 35-6 at the half.

“It took a while for our offense to get going and find their rhythm, but that happens with a big layoff like we had,” Faith said. “We also had a penalty or two in the first quarter that didn’t help.”

The coach credited the offensive line for blocking well and the backs for running hard.

“Barrett (Beal) had some big plays in the passing game for us,” he said. “The special teams played well except for one long run on a kickoff return. Everett (McWhorter) did a good job of running that guy down to give us a chance to stop them.”

Faith credited the defense with playing well throughout the game against an offense that “we don’t see much.”

He pointed out that the defense only allowed one first down in the second half.

Scoring Summary

Albany – Coy Lefevre runs for 25-yard touchdown. PAT kick by Ryder Wilkins is good. 1st quarter - 1:53. Score 7-0.

Albany – Brooks Neece runs 1 yard for touchdown. PAT kick by Wilkins is good. 2nd quarter - 4:49. Score 14-0.

Albany – Jaheim Newton runs for 1 yard touchdown. PAT kick by Wilkins is good. 2nd quarter - 3:13. Score 21-0.

Ralls – Bryson Jones runs 66 yards for touchdown. Two-point attempt by Sergio Salinas fails. 2nd quarter - 3:11. Score 21-6.

Albany – Barrett Beal pass complete to Lefevre for 60-yard touchdown. PAT attempt by Wilkins good. 2nd quarter - 2:44. Score 28-6.

Albany – Beal pass complete to Cade Neve for 16-yard touchdown. PAT attempt by Wilkins good. 2nd quarter - 0:42. Score 35-6.

Ralls – Bryson Jones runs for 43-yard touchdown. Two-point run by Salinas is good. 3rd quarter - 9:33. Score 35-14.

Albany – Beal pass complete to Newton for 33-yard touchdown. Two-point pass by Beal to Le­fevre. 3rd quarter - 6:57. Score 43-14.

Ralls – Ryno Garcia pass complete to Bryson Jones for 12-yard touchdown. Jones runs in two-pointer. 3rd quarter - 5:03. Score 43-22.

Albany – Beal runs in 5-yard touchdown. PAT attempt by Wilkins fails. 4th quarter - 5:06. Score 49-22.

Albany – Neece runs for 12-yard touchdown. PAT attempt by Wilkins good. 4th quarter - 4:02. Score 56-22.