Category: Albany Lions

by Evan Ren

Evan Ren’s regional football projections and bi-district picks

LAST WEEK: 26-4, .866
SEASON TOTAL: 377-81, .823

Week 12 of the football season is here. And you know what that means.

The horses are at the starting gate with a finish line set up in Arlington for the state championship games.

More than 97 percent of the teams won’t make it. And by the time Thanksgiving arrives, 75 percent of them will already be finished. Such is the magnitude of our postseason.

In the meantime, hundreds of teams from Class 1A through 4A have their dreams of reaching Jerry World still intact. Classes 5A and 6A will start their postseason journeys in mid December, after having their seasons delayed by COVID-19.

That said, it’s time to choose which of our Big Country entries have the best shot of conquering their regions. Who are the favorites? Who are the dark horses? An perhaps most importantly, where are the elephants in the room — the teams from outside of our area with the most potential to spoil the Big Country’s chances?

Let’s get started, shall we?

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

BCP Girls Basketball Position Rankings: Posts

After highlighting the top guards and forwards on the Big Country girls basketball scene the past two nights, it’s time to shift our attention to the block.

For the final installment in our three-part position rankings series, we list our top-10 post players for the 2020-21 season.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading through these rankings, and make sure to come back next week when we’ll feature the top boys basketball players in the Big Country.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

BCP Girls Basketball Position Rankings: Guards

With the girls basketball season underway, it’s time to take a look at the players who will be making the biggest impact during the 2020-21 season.

For the first installment in a three-part series that will cover all positions, we’ll be taking a look at the Big Country’s top guards, ranking our top 10 with a list of others to watch this season.

As with any such list, these rankings are subjective. We hope you enjoy reading through our selections.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

District 8-2A Div. II Week 11 Report: Hico can’t complete rally in nondistrict loss to Gruver

Gruver 40, Hico 29 — The only team in this district in action after picking up a nondistrict game in Week 11, the Tigers couldn’t complete a second-half rally in a competitive loss to the Greyhounds.

Hico (3-8, 2-3) trailed 20-15 at halftime and twice trimmed two-score leads to single digits in the second half — at 26-23 midway through the third quarter and 34-29 early in the fourth — but that was as close as it would get to the lead after halftime.

Angel Gonzalez passed for 198 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 147 yards and two scores to lead the Tigers, who wrapped up the No. 4 playoff seed out of this district with their Oct. 22 win over Meridian. They’ll open the postseason next week against District 7 champion Windthorst (9-1, 4-0).

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

District 8-2A Div. II Week 10 Report: Albany pulls away from Cross Plains for title

Albany 35, Cross Plains 0 — Leading 6-0 at halftime, the Lions outscored the Buffaloes 22-0 in the third quarter to turn a tight defensive ballgame into a rout and claim the outright district title in the regular season finale for Albany.

Albany (8-1, 5-0) rushed for 242 yards as a team, getting 132 yards from Jaheim Newton and 43 yards and two touchdowns from Coy Lefevre. Quarterback Barrett Beal, meanwhile, passed for 149 yards with a touchdown to Cole Chapman (4-87 receiving) and an interception.

Cross Plains, the No. 2 playoff seed out of this district, fell to 7-2 overall and 3-1 in league play heading into a scheduled game against Meridian next week.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

District 8-2A Div. II Week 9 Report: Hico boosts playoff hopes with shutout of Meridian

Hico 17, Meridian 0 — The Tigers picked up a huge win for their playoff hopes, shutting out the Yellowjackets to snap a seven-game losing streak.

Putting together one scoring drive in each of the first three quarters, Hico (2-7, 1-3) increased a 14-0 halftime lead to 17 points by the start of the fourth quarter and closed things out from there.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Santo punches Albany early, but Lions rally for win

SANTO — The sixth-ranked Albany Lions entered Thursday night’s District 8-2A Division II matchup at W.A. Lewis Field with Santo having posted four consecutive shutouts, including three to open district play.

The Wildcats, however, were not intimidated and punched the Lions in the mouth en route to a 14-0 lead.

The perennial power Lions eventually found their footing, however, and roared back for a 34-14 win to set up a showdown with Cross Plains next week for the district championship.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

District 8-2A Div. II Week 8 Report: Albany blanks Ranger for fourth straight shutout

Albany 61, Ranger 0 — The Lions raced out to a 34-0 first-quarter lead on the Bulldogs and coasted from there to their fourth consecutive shutout victory. 

Albany (6-1, 3-0) rushed for 331 yards in the win, getting at least 50 yards and at least one touchdown from five players. Brooks Neece led all rushers with 84 yards and a score on just five carries, while Taren Farmer (9-79, 1 TD), Jaheim Newton (3-60, 1 TD), Isaiah Dockins (4-57, 2 TDs) and Coy Lefevre (1-51, 1 TD) all also had productive days.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Beal’s reemergence in Albany a big plus for the Lions

ALBANY — For a full year, Albany senior Barrett Beal had no choice but to be patient. 

Ruled ineligible to play varsity football in 2019 after moving to AHS from Roscoe, the 18-year-old had to remain with the JV for a full season before being able to suit up for coach Denney Faith on a Friday night.

He is now making up for lost time. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

District 8-2A Div. II Week 7 Report: Albany continues roll with third straight shutout

Albany 55, Hico 0 — The Lions pitched their third consecutive shutout, following lopsided wins over Haskell (43-0) and Meridian (60-0) with another over Hico.

Albany (5-1, 2-0), which scored 28 first-quarter points on its way to a 42-0 halftime lead, finished the game with 511 yards — 350 rushing and 161 passing.

Coy Lefevre led the effort with 190 yards and five touchdowns on just nine carries, while Isaiah Dockins rushed for 86 yards and two scores on 11 attempts. Quarterback Barrett Beal was efficient in the passing game, hitting eight of 12 passes for 161 yards and a score against the Tigers (1-6, 0-2).

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

District 8-2A Div. II Week 6 Report: Albany routs Meridian to open league play

Albany 60, Meridian 0 — Leading 13-0 after a quarter, the eighth-ranked Lions exploded for 27 points in the second quarter to put the Yellowjackets away by halftime in the district opener for both squads.

Albany (4-1, 1-0) gained 380 of its 468 yards on the ground, rushing for six total touchdowns in the win. Jaheim Newton (10-133, 1 TDs) led all rushers, while Isaiah Dockins (10-94, 4 TDs) also had a big game.

Meridian, which fell to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in league play, finished the game with minus-49 total yards, rushing for negative-58 yards on 24 carries.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

District 8-2A Div. II Week 5 Report: Cross Plains dominates Miles

Cross Plains 41, Miles 12 — The Buffaloes put together one of their most complete performances of the year Friday, outgaining the Bulldogs 372-160 in a thorough victory.

Cason Allen rushed for 173 yards and a touchdown while Cody McWilliams added 163 yards and four scores to fuel Cross Plains, which led 21-0 by halftime.

The Buffs (4-1), who also got an efficient game from quarterback Justin Gresham (5-7-0—93, 1 TD), will have next week off before opening league play Oct. 9 at Hico.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Hawley tangles with upstart Dragons (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country picks)

LAST WEEK: 36-12, .750
SEASON TOTAL: 152-47, .763

I have not been to Bangs for a Game of the Week since 2013 — the last time the Dragons posted more than six wins in a season and the last winning record they had prior to last year’s 6-5 mark.

That drought ends tomorrow, when I travel to BHS for an interesting showdown between the Dragons (3-0) and Class 2A Division I power Hawley (3-1).

Bangs has the better overall numbers, but Hawley has faced a slightly tougher overall schedule, making this pick a perplexing one.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

District 8-2A Div. II Week 4 Report: Albany bounces back to shut out Haskell

Albany 43, Haskell 0 — The Lions bounced back from last week’s loss to Hamlin with a strong showing Friday, racing out to a 29-0 halftime lead and cruising from there to a shutout win over their former district mates.

Albany outgained Haskell 467-6, getting 211 yards passing and two touchdowns from quarterback Barrett Beal and 147 yards and one TD rushing from Jaheim Newton.

The Lions, now 3-1, will look to build on this win next week when they travel to Anson to take on the 3-1 Tigers.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

District 3-2A Div. I Week 4Report: Buffs win thriller at McCamey to even record at 2-2

Chris Mendez

Forsan 31, McCamey 30 — Forsan (2-2) picked up its second straight win behind 312 team rushing yards.
 
 Chris Mendez led FHS with 166 yards and one score on 20 carries. Nat Hernandez charted 105 yards and three TDs on 19 touches.

McCamey fell to 2-1 on the year.  

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

Big Country Preps’ Pick ‘Em Panel (Week 4)

Each week here at Big Country Preps, we’ll post our picks for all of that week’s 11-man games, in addition to the results of Evan Ren’s Twitter polls for each matchup.

For those interested in voting, polls go up on Monday night each week and close Thursday morning.

Disagree with our picks or the Twitter consensus? Let us know in the comments section below.

Continue reading “Big Country Preps’ Pick ‘Em Panel (Week 4)” →

by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Jim Ned heads to Cisco for interclass showdown

LAST WEEK: 42-9, .824
SEASON TOTAL: 116-35, .740

Week 4 arrives and I’m finally hitting my stride on pick accuracy.

It’s been an odd year thus far, both in terms of results and overall feel. It’s been tough to gauge.

Nonetheless, we’re hitting the road once again this Friday, with the Big Country Preps Game of the Week landing at Chesley Field in Cisco, where the Loboes (2-1) will play host to a Jim Ned club that is two divisions larger than they are.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us