Lions to host Miles after week off
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions relied on smothering defense during a 5-0 nondistrict run that pushed the program’s winning streak to 16 games.
The Lions, who had an open date last week, face another test from another high-powered offense at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, when they host Miles in the District 6-2A Division II opener at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.
“I felt like we had a good open week,” Lions head coach Denney Faith said. “We were able to get some work in and put some things on that we’ve looked at.”
Along the way, Albany avenged its two losses from 2022, winning road games against defending 2A Division I champ Hawley and Comanche, both of which were state-ranked in their divisions.
“Our predistrict was very difficult team-wise,” Faith said. “Four of those five are going to be playoff teams and probably go fairly deep. To be able to go through that gauntlet and come out undefeated, I feel like our team grew a lot, and that will help us down the road in district play and hopefully beyond that.”
During its run-up to district, Albany has held opponents to 235.6 total yards and 13.8 points per game. No opponent has scored more than two offensive touchdowns against the Lions. Lubbock Trinity Christian, which returned a blocked punt on one of its three scores in the season opener, is the only opponent to score more than 20 points.
Hawley (314) is the only opponent to gain 300 total yards and Comanche (207) the lone team to rush for more than 100 yards.
“We knew coming in that we should be pretty good defensively, because we had a lot of kids returning,” Faith said. “We’ve just felt good about our defense the whole season.”
But newcomer Jaxson Hoel leads the team in tackles with 49 total (27 solo). The senior linebacker has four tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup.
Close behind is senior Adam Hill, who has bounced between linebacker and defensive end. Hill has a team-high 30 solo stops among 44 total with 12 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five hurries, and two pass breakups.
Linebacker Tyler Chapman has 39 tackles. Lineman Zane Waggoner adds 37 with six TFL, 3.5 sacks, four hurries, and three PBU. Fellow linemen Lanxton Viertel (25 tackles, four TFL, two sacks, three hurries) and Parker Shelton (17 tackles, two TFL, one sack, one PBU) have also been active.
In the secondary, Luke Marshall has 34 tackles, five TFL, a sack and interception returned for a TD, and three PBU. Branson Beal adds 28 tackles with one for loss and three PBU. Sophomore Calhan Fairchild has 20 tackles, and interception, and a team-leading seven PBU. Cason Fairchild adds 19 tackles, an interception, and four PBU.
Offensively, it’s no surprise that Hill, last season’s leading rusher, has been a big weapon running behind a line that returned three starters in center Cole Read, guard Viertel and tackle Waggoner. Hill leads the Big Country with 875 yards and 10 TDs on 188 carries. Hoel (24-122, two TDs) and Chapman (21-105, one TD) have provided an effective counter punch.
Albany is averaging 412.6 total yards (240.4 rushing, 172.2 passing) and 35.2 points per game.
“Offensively, we had a new quarterback (junior Chip Chambers) and were moving some people around to different positions,” Faith said. “We knew it was going to be a growing process, and we’ve really leaned on our offensive line to help us through that. Now, our offense has kind of solidified and found its personality, and I think we’re going to continue to get better.
Chambers is 49 of 85 passing for 861 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. He has connected with eight different receivers.
Faith said Chambers’ development has been a key to the offense’s success.
“I think especially the last two games, Chip has gotten a lot better,” the coach said. “He’s playing with more confidence, throwing the ball well and making some really good reads. Having him become more familiar with what we do offensively is a big thing, and the longer we go, the better he’s going to be.”
Cason Fairchild has been the main target, catching 17 passes for 416 yards and four TDs. Beal has 12 receptions for 154 yards and three scores. Calhan Fairchild has six catches for 65 yards.
A year ago, the Lions were treading water after a rash of injuries contributed to consecutive home losses. Albany righted the ship in district play and, once healthy, reeled off 11 consecutive victories to claim the Class 2A Division II state championship.
“Obviously, injuries are a big part of the game,” Faith said. So far, we’ve been fortunate not to have a bunch of them at significant positions. We feel good about going into district with more strength and want to stay tat way.”
Not that this season has been free of injuries with seniors Wyatt Windham (back) and Houston Heatly (knee) limited to a total of four games.
“We’ve got some kids healed up and should be heading into district with everybody on board,” Faith said. “They should be available this week. There shouldn’t be anybody miss time, knock on wood.”
District Prospects
Another nonsurprise is that the next goal for the Lions is a district championship. They’ve won 19 under Faith, including 14 of the last 15 seasons.
“I think we got better mentally and physically in predistrict,” said Faith, who is looking at his 350th career win with the next victory. “I think we’re prepared to make a run and do our best to bring that district championship back to Albany. From, there, we’ll go into the next season after that.”
But, as the team slogan says, the Lions will have to earn it. Miles (4-1) Cross Plains (2-3), Roscoe (4-1), and Hamlin (4-1) are all coming off wins in their last games, while Abilene TLCA (1-4) earned its first 11-man win in Week 2. Hamlin has won four in a row and Roscoe’s loss was by seven points on the road to No. 3 New Home.
“I think the district is much stronger than it was last year,” Faith said. “We’re going to have to take it one game at a time and not be looking too far in advance.”
Facing Miles
Miles is averaging 517.6 total yards and 53.2 points per game, scoring 66 or more three times. The Bulldogs edged Ozona 70-68 in their last outing.
Quarterback Hayven Book is 83 of 131 passing for 1,288 yards with 14 TDs and six interceptions. He has also run for 458 yards and six scores.
“He’s an outstanding quarterback who can move around and make plays, not only with his arm but with his feet,” Faith said. “We’re going to have to be really sound defensively to keep him in the pocket. Our secondary is going to have to stay on coverage.”
ALBANY OPPONENTS
WEEK 6
Lubbock Trinity (4-1) beat Denver City 14-0.
Dublin (1-4), open.
Seymour (5-1) beat Archer City 46-28.
Hawley (3-2), open.
Comanche (3-2), open.
Miles (4-1), open.
Cross Plains (2-3), open.
Roscoe (4-1) beat Junction 20-14.
Hamlin (4-1), open.
Abilene TLC (1-4), open.
