Lions pick up 1 superlative, 15 first team honors
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lion football team earned a total of 25 spots on the 7-2A All-District teams, dominating the first team picks with 15 positions.
Albany only captured one superlative honor this season in deference to Hamlin winning the district race and the Lions coming in as the second place team for the first time in 12 seasons.
The Lions finished second to Hamlin with a 3-1 district mark, advancing to the second round of the playoffs to end the season 8-4. The Pipers advanced to the state championship game, losing to Mart 25-20, to become the 2A Div. II runner-up.
“I really wish we had gotten a few more awards, but I am very proud of those who were recognized by the district coaches,” head football coach Denney Faith said. “We still had a good season, and the guys who were honored were all very deserving.
Garnering the lone superlative award for Albany, sophomore Jaheim Newton was named the Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
The Lions took seven places on the first-team offense and eight on the defensive side, along with nine spots on the second team.
Faith announced that two players also received honorable mention, including Wesley Estridge as a defensive lineman and Ryder Wilkins on the offensive line.
Complete results of District 7-2A honors follows with Albany players listed in italics.
Superlatives
Overall MVP - Jevon Williams, senior - Hamlin.
Offensive MVP - Braydin Warner, junior - Hamlin.
Defesnive MVP - Ethan Byerly, junior - Hamlin.
Offensive Newcomer - Jaheim Newton, sophomore. - Albany.
Defensive Newcomer - Riley Conlee, freshman - Cross Plains.
Offensive Line MVP - Dennis Montanez, senior - Hamlin.
Defensive Line MVP - Austin Lozano, senior - Hamlin.
Coach/Staff of the Year - Russell Lucas/Hamlin.
1st Team Offense
Quarterback - Ben West, senior - Albany.
Running Back - Cody McWilliams, junior - Cross Plains.
Fullback - Dillon Hindman, senior - Albany.
Receivers - Casen Connelly, senior - Cross Plains. Cutter Martin, junior - Hamlin. Logan Burson, senior - Haskell. Blaine Kayga, senior - Albany.
Tight End - Austin Lozano, senior - Hamlin. BJ Morris, senior - Albany.
Offensive Line - Brody Frierson, junior - Haskell. Tyler Beard, senior - Albany. Gerardo Rodriguez, senior - Albany. Logan Proctor, senior - Cross Plains. Ethan Byerly, junior - Hamlin. Isaiah Flores, senior - Hamlin.
Utility - Brayden Sullivan, senior - Albany. Ketch Thomas, junior - Cross Plains. AJ Ramirez, junior - Hamlin. Coby Compton, senior - Hamlin. Junior Martinez, senior - Roscoe.
1st Team Defense
Defensive Line/DE - Parker Henry, junior - Albany. Gregori Mikeska, senior - Albany. Brody Frierson, junior - Haskell. Jayden Weaver, sophomore - Haskell. Logan Proctor, senior - Cross Plains. Tyler Beard, senior - Albany.
Inside Linebacker - BJ Morris, senior - Albany. Corey Proctor, senior - Cross Plains. Jacob Perez, senior - Hamlin. Dillon Bell, junior - Hamlin.
Outside Linebacker - Dillon Hindman, senior - Albany. Jeb Becker, senior - Albany.
Defensive Back - Cutter Martin, junior - Hamlin. Logan Burson, senior - Haskell. Blaine Kayga, senior - Albany. Cade Neve, junior - Albany. Casen Connelly, senior - Cross Plains. Caleb Hernandez, senior - Cross Plains.
Kicker - Cutter Medford, senior - Haskell.
Punter - Braydin Warner, junior - Hamlin.
2nd Team Offense
(Albany only)
Running Back - Robert Bailey, sophomore - Albany.
Receiver - Cade Neve, junior - Albany.
Offensive Line - Devan Henson, junior - Albany. Monte Cauble, sophomore - Albany.
2nd Team Defense
Offensive Line - Zion Belisle, senior - Albany. Kasey Cauble, senior - Albany.
Inside Linebacker - Brooks Neece, sophomore - Albany.
Defensive Back - Robert Bailey, sophomore - Albany.
Academic All-District (Albany only)
Albany - Colby Hargett, senior. Tyler Beard, senior.
Dillon Hindman, senior. Braden Sullivan, senior. Jackson Chapman, junior. Brooks Neece, sophomore.
