Lions start district with big homecoming win

The Lion varsity football team delighted a large homecoming crowd last Friday with a decisive 48-12 victory over Baird, also breaking into the win column for the first time this season in the district opener.

Albany (1-5, 1-0) will travel to Roscoe (2-4, 0-1) this week as the District 7-2A race continues. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

The Plowboys opened district last Friday with a 50-21 loss to Hamlin, but have two pre-district wins over Munday and Miles while dropping games to Hawley, Gruver, and Stamford.

“We know they play hard,” said coach Denney Faith. “They are coming off a tough loss to Hamlin, so they will being giving us their best shot to try to prevent going 0-2 in district.”

The coach said that the -Lions have had a difficult time practicing this week because of the weather. The team traveled to Abilene on Monday to play on a turf field, but stayed in the Green Room the rest of the week for workouts.

Faith was pleased with the way the Lions opened district against Baird.

“It was a great way to start district with a victory,” he said. “And since it was our homecoming, it was even better to get the win for the fans.”

The coach said the team played with a lot more energy and excitement than in the past than they have in the previous games this season.

“The guys stayed focused even with all of the homecoming activities and prepared well,” Faith said. “They really delivered and proved what kind of team they are. The beginning of the season was not a true picture of who they are and what they can accomplish.”

Part of the difference probably can be attributed to the return of two senior starters who who have been out of the lineup since early in the season due to injuries.

“Cutter (Edgar) came back and had a very solid game at running back, and Payne (Hebel) stepped right back into his spots on the line,” Faith said.

The coach also commended quarterback Ben West for his performance in the Baird game.

“Ben was 13 of 15, throwing for three touchdowns,” he said. “He had his best game, and I attribute a lot of that to the protection he got from the line.”

Overall, the coach credited much of the offensive success of the game to the linemen.

“We were able to stay balanced on offense primarily because the line did a great job for both the running game and protecting for the pass,” the coach said.

Faith also praised the Lion defense for playing well.

“The defense had a lot more energy and enthusiasm than we have had,” he said. “We gang tackled well and pursued to the football, holding Baird to less than 100 yards rushing.”

But there is still room for improvement.

“We have to get better with our pass defense,” he said. “We have to cover better and be able to put more pressure on the quarterback.”

The Lions recovered three turnovers in the game, including two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

“We also took care of the ball better, not giving up any turnovers,” he said.

The coach said he is stressing to the team that consistency is now the key.

“Our pre-district season is behind us and we opened district with a win, but this isn’t just a one-game deal,” Faith said. “We can’t afford any setbacks, especially in areas that we can control.”

The coach was alluding to the number of penalties the team was flagged with against Baird.

“We had a few too many penalties, especially in the red zone, that we need to clean up,” he said.

The Lions still have two players out on the injured list. B.J. Morris has a knee injury and Brayden Sullivan is recovering from a hand injury.

Scoring Summary

Albany – Ben West 9-yard pass to Ryan Hill for touchdown. Kick by Hill no good. 1st quarter – 2:52. Score 6-0.

Albany – Cutter Edgar 20-yard run for touchdown. Hill kick good. 2nd quarter – 11:53. Score 13-0.

Albany – West 29-yard pass to Hill. Hill kick good. 2nd quarter – 3:54. Score 20-0.

Albany – Cameron Dacus 6-yard run for touchdown. PAT by Hill good. 2nd quarter – 1:06. Score 27-0.

Albany – Hill 1-yard run for touchdown. PAT by Hill good. 3rd – 9:18. Score 34-0.

Albany – West 5-yard pass to Dillon Hindman for touchdown. PAT by Hill good. 3rd quarter – 5:27. Score 41-0.

Baird – Trace Price 31-yard pass to Max Dayton for touchdown. PAT by Ricardo Gonzales no good. 3rd quarter – 0:22. Score 41-6.

Baird – Jax Bellar 41-yard run for touchdown. Conversion pass from Price to Nate Deel no good. 4th quarter – 7:32. Score 41-12.

Albany – Jaheim Newton 11-yard run for touchdown. PAT by Hill good. 4th quarter – 4:49. Score 48-12.