Lions push past Santo in Bi-District battle
The Albany Lions opened the playoffs with a strong showing Thursday night in Graham, powering past Santo 34–18 to secure the Bi-District championship and extend their postseason run.
Albany controlled the pace from the start, stacking up 429 yards of total offense and moving the chains 24 times. The Lions leaned on a balanced attack that kept Santo guessing—154 yards rushing paired with 275 yards through the air.
Quarterback Clay Chapman led the way with a standout performance, completing 15 of 25 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target was Calhan Fairchild, who turned in a dominant outing with 184 yards receiving and two touchdowns, including a 54-yard strike that broke the game open. Hollis Yeates added the other receiving touchdown, hauling in three catches for 29 yards.
On the ground, the Lions relied on Shawn Keen, who took on most of the carries after Breylon Billington left the game with an ankle injury in the second quarter. Keen finished with 108 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts, helping Albany control the clock throughout the night. Chapman added 29 yards rushing and another score.
Defensively, the Lions remained sharp despite allowing points for the first time in 48 days. Albany held Santo to 148 total yards and just 45 passing yards, keeping the Wildcats in check for most of the game. Santo’s late scoring came after a series of short fields created by special-teams miscues, including coverage breakdowns on kickoffs that set the Wildcats up with favorable field position.
“We didn’t want to give up any points, but we were playing a really good football team,” Head Coach Denney Faith said. “I was proud of how physical we played and how well the defense held up overall.”
Special teams and penalties will be key areas of focus this week. Albany struggled in both areas at times, giving Santo opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have had.
On the injury report, Tristan Howe entered concussion protocol after symptoms appeared the day following the game. His status will depend on medical clearance later this week. Billington’s ankle recovery will also be monitored in the days leading up to Friday’s matchup.
Next up for Albany is a rare first-ever meeting with Quanah, a program the Lions have never faced despite both schools competing in the same general regional area for many years. The Indians finished third in their district and bring a bruising power-run attack out of the wishbone.
“They’re going to be physical, and they’ve got a big offensive line with some strong backs,” Faith said. “It’ll be another tough football game.”
Albany and Quanah will meet Friday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. at Eagle Stadium in Holliday, a newer turf facility expected to provide a strong playoff atmosphere. A community send-off is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. Friday as the Lions depart for the area round.
In other playoff action involving District 7-2A Division II, the postseason proved challenging for Albany’s district opponents. Hamlin, the district runner-up, fell to Lindsay 56–14. Cross Plains was defeated by Muenster 77–6, and Roscoe lost to Collinsville 51–21, marking the third straight year the Plowboys have been eliminated by the Pirates in the playoffs.
With those results, Albany is the only district team still playing as the postseason moves into its second round.
