Lions lose tough battle against Hawley

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions faced a tall enough task in playing the Hawley Bearcats without two of their top offensive weapons, but field position was a determining factor in the Lions’ 26-14 loss.

Albany (3-1) looks to bounce back from its first regular-season loss in more than two years at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 when the Comanche Indians visit Robert Nail Memorial Stadium for the final nondistrict game.

On Friday, Sept. 16 at Nail Stadium, Albany was without quarterback Cole Chapman and running back-linebacker Coy Lefevre because of injury. The Lions’ chances were hindered by Hawley’s ability to keep the ball on Albany’s end of the field most of the night. The Bearcats (4-0) had an average starting point of the Albany 44, starting five of nine possessions across the 50-yard line. The Lions, conversely, never started a drive outside their own 25 with an average starting point of their own 17.

Hawley benefitted from 190 yards on kickoff and punt returns with four returns of more than 40 yards. Albany finished with 47 return yards.

“It seemed like they had a short field all night,” Lions head coach Denney Faith said. “We’ve got to get better in our coverage teams. When you play really good teams with good athletes back there, we’ve got to be better in our special teams.”

The loss was Albany’s first in the regular season since a 42-6 setback against Hamlin on Sept. 11, 2020. The Lions slipped from No. 1 to No. 3 in this week’s Class 2A Division II state rankings.

Hawley, ranked No. 2 in Class 2A Division I, had seven possessions cross the Albany 20-yard line, coming away with three touchdowns and a field goal. Albany had just two first downs in the first half before scoring on drives of 84 and 95 yards in the second half.

Albany’s defense kept the Bearcats from doing more damage, stopping Hawley on downs at the 15 on the game’s opening drive and getting an interception and a fumble recovery from defensive back Wyatt Windham in the fourth quarter.

“Our defense has been doing that all year,” Faith said. “We’ve had several red-zone stops throughout the year. Our defense played well and played fast against a team  with a lot of weapons.”

Defensive lineman Tye Edgar was in on 10 total tackles, including three for loss with two sacks, to lead Albany.

“Our D-line and our corners were doing a pretty good job,” Edgar said. “We couldn’t figure out their running game at first, but we did a pretty good job of it as we went along.”

Jayden Lucas was in on six stops with Samuel Rosas, Adam Hill, and Koy Cauble credited with five apiece. Cason Fairchild, Zane Waggoner, and Lanxton Viertel each had four.

Lute Wheeler struggled in his first varsity start at quarterback, completing just one of six passes with two interceptions.

London Fuentes quarterbacked most of the second half, finishing 4 of 5 passing for 52 yards and rushing for 57.

“London came in and gave us a little spark in the second half,” Faith said. “We were able to use his athletic ability to open up some things.”

Rosas added 51 combined yards rushing and receiving. Fairchild caught two passes for 24 yards.

Hawley gained total 288 yards. Austin Cumpton rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns, while Rodney Cooper was 13 of 22 passing for 138 yards with an interception.

“Hawley can attack you on the edges or up the middle with a big, strong running back,” Faith said. “They make you defend the whole field.”

Cumpton scored on runs of 1 and 5 yards in the first half before an errant Albany punt snap resulted in a safety. The Bearcats put together their only long drive in the last two minutes of the first half, moving 74 yards in 10 plays before Kason O’Shields kicked a 24-yard field goal as time expired to give Hawley a 19-0 lead.

Chandlin Myers’ interception on the third play of the third quarter set up Hawley at the Albany 26, leading to Cumpton’s 12-yard score five plays later.

Albany got on the board with an 11-play drive, all on the ground, that resulted in Rosas’ 2-yard touchdown run. The Lions never faced third down on the series, popping four plays for gains of at least 10 yards.

“We talked a little bit at halftime about changing a few things scheme-wise,” Faith said, “but mostly I think we just came out and executed better.”

Hawley’s next two possessions started at the Albany 26 and 30, but resulted in Windham’s takeaways.

“We’re just working hard,” Windham said. “We’ve always got heart, every single one of us. We don’t ever give up.”

Albany’s second score came on Hill’s 14-yard run with 1:52 to go. Rosas had a 24-yard reception and Fuentes gained 43 yards to spark a 10-play drive.