Lions finish season with loss at area
By Donnie A. Lucas
In a rare second-round loss, the Albany Lions saw their season come to an end earlier than usual with a 24-20 loss to the Windthorst Trojans Friday in Graham.
While the two teams came out fairly even on the stat sheets with both scoring three times, it was the Trojans who won the conversion or bonus points that made the difference in the game.
Windthorst flipped their usual game plan against the Lions, moving from a predominately passing team to a ground attack with 300 yards rushing for all three touchdowns and three two-points plays.
The Lions scored once on the ground and twice in the air, followed by one successful two-point conversion on a pass.
It is the first time since the 2007 season that the Lions lost in the area playoff or second round, but other major goals were accomplished during the season including earning the program’s 700th overall victory and getting head coach Denney Faith his 300th career win during the season opener in August.
“Our kids fought every down of the game,” Faith said. “We made some mistakes, but our kids kept fighting, and I’m very proud of that.”
The Lions were sparked in the fourth quarter to score twice, drawing within striking range, but the clock worked against them despite the momentum shift.
“We made some big plays to keep the drive alive, but we missed getting any breaks when we needed them,” the coach said. “We really needed to come up with a turnover in the fourth quarter, and we just didn’t get it.”
The Lions gave up a couple of interceptions in the first half, but neither resulted in points for the Trojans.
“It was a great season, and our kids fought hard all year long,” Faith said. “I wish we were playing next week, but we aren’t. I can’t fault the effort the kids gave.”
The coach said he appreciated the large class of seniors and the leadership and effort they provided.
“I appreciate everything this bunch of seniors has done,” he said. “Looking back to when they were in the seventh grade, they have come a very long way. I really wish we could have gone farther for them.”
The Lions ended the 2019 season with an 8-4 record and were the second place team in District 7-2A Div. II.
Scoring Summary
Windthorst - 1st quarter - 4:36. Awtry Blagg runs for three-yard touchdown. Cy Belcher runs the two-point conversion. Score 0-8.
Albany - 2nd quarter - 8:10. Jaheim Newton runs for two-yard touchdown. PAT attempt by Colby Hargett no good. Score 6-8.
Windthorst - 3rd quarter - 1:16. Blagg runs for three-yard touchdown. Blagg runs for two-point conversion. Score 6-16.
Albany - 4th quarter - 4:06. Ben West passes to Blaine Kayga for 35-yard touchdown. West passes to Dillon Hindman for conversion. Score 14-16.
Windthorst - 4th quarter - 2:25. Ethan Belcher runs 57 yards for touchdown. Cy Belcher passes to Kyle Wolf for two-point conversion. Score 14-24.
Albany - 4th quarter - 1:24. West completes six-yard pass to Cade Neve for touchdown. Two-point pass conversion failed. Score 20-24.
