Here are the updated Big Country football playoff pairings and results through Dec. 13 (with regional brackets):
Category: Albany Lions
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II WEEK 11 REPORT: Albany runs the table, Roscoe takes second seed, Miles beats Cross Plains for No. 3 spot
Albany 66, TLCA 0 — Albany concluded a perfect regular season and sweep of its district opponents with a win over Abilene TLCA.
Chip Chambers threw for 145 yards and four TDs and Adam Hill rushed for 98 yards and three TDs on three carries to lift the Lions (10-0, 5-0), who will face Albany vs. Eldorado, on Thursday at Colorado City’s Wolf Stadium. at 7 p.m.
TLCA closed its season at 1-9 and 0-5.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Wylie, Cooper clash in burgeoning rivalry game
LAST WEEK: 47-5, .903
SEASON TOTAL: 438-91, .827
With the column hitting at more than 90 percent accuracy last week, we now close the regular season on the upswing and with something uncommon: A local Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
While our weekly picks column generally highlights the top area game outside of the Abilene city limits, this week seems to call for us to stay at home with rivals Wylie (6-3, 3-1) and Cooper (4-5, 3-1) fighting for sole possession of the No. 2 seed in District 2-5A Division II.
Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (as submitted by area coaches through Oct. 31)
NOTE: This will be our final installment of Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders for the 2023 season
Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m. roughout the regular season.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II WEEK 10 REPORT: Roscoe secures No. 2 seed; Albany wraps up district title; Cross Plains earns playoff spot
Roscoe 34, Miles 33 — Ivan “The Terrible” McCann bulldozed his way to 231 yards rushing and four scores to lift Roscoe to an important district win over visiting Miles.
The Plowboys led 34-21 late in the third quarter before absorbing back to back Miles touchdowns, both of which were followed by missed PATs.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Bulldogs, Bearcats meet with district title in the balance
LAST WEEK: 44-7, .862
SEASON TOTAL: 391-86, .820
It really didn’t take long for people to start talking about the Hawley – Stamford matchup in 2023. In fact, this one was on our calendar as a possible Game of the Week before the season even started.
Who will win? That depends on who you speak with. Our Twitter poll is split virtually down the middle and even the computers see this one as a near tossup.
Stamford (7-0, 4-0 District 4-2A DII) enters this game scarcely challenged, rolling over the opposition by an average tally of 45-8. Hawley (6-2, 4-0), on the other hand, comes in with some battle scars after a brutal schedule featuring Jim Ned, Lubbock Roosevelt and Albany.
Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (as submitted by area coaches through Oct. 24)
Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m. roughout the regular season.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Big Spring’s Kavien Ford lands the top spot
Every now and then, the biggest performances come at precisely the right time. And in the case of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, that couldn’t be more true than it is now.
With his team laboring through a five-game losing streak and in danger of losing a playoff spot, Big Spring’s Kavien Ford came up with one of the best performances we’ve seen this year when he rushed for 374 yards and seven scores on 39 carries in a 63-43 win over San Angelo Lake View.
The win put Big Spring (2-6, 1-1) in a three-way tie for second place with one game remaining in the regular season. It also kept Lake View in sole possession of last place.
PHOTO GALLERY: Roscoe-Albany football (45 images)
Digital photos, prints and keepsakes may be purchased by clicking the link below. The “BigCountryPreps.com” watermark will be removed from all purchased photos.
Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Roscoe-Albany football (45 images)”
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II Week 9 Report: Cross Plains wins crucial matchup with Hamlin; Miles, Albany both score wins
Cross Plains 28, Hamlin 6 — Dusty Wyatt rushed for 227 yards and three TDs to lift Cross Plains to an important district win over Hamlin.
Leading 13-6 at the break, the Buffaloes took firm control of the game with a pair of second-half touchdowns.
GAME STORY: Albany tops Roscoe 44-7 in a tale of two halves
ALBANY — For Albany, it was not unlike countless of big district games the Lions have played over the years. For the upstart Roscoe Plowboys, it was an opportunity to challenge a perennial area power for the district lead with the entire area paying attention.
And for 24 minutes, Roscoe (a 31-point underdog) appeared ready to shock the Big Country, forcing four first-half turnovers and heading into the locker room trailing 10-7. It was Albany, however, which had experience in closing big games and suddenly turned this one into a rout with a 34-0 second half run to win 44-7.
Adam Hill rushed for 253 yards and two scores and caught a 15-yard TD pass to lead top-ranked Albany (8-0, 3-0 District 6-2A DII), which survived a five-turnover night by limiting Roscoe (6-2, 2-1) to only 149 total yards and no offensive touchdowns.
“(Roscoe) was really playing well,” Albany coach Denney Faith said. “They were loading the box to stop Adam and doing some things that caught us off guard. They came out and played a great first half and we had to do a lot better.”
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Stephenville hosts China Spring (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)
LAST WEEK: 40-8, .833
SEASON TOTAL: 347-79, .814
As Week 9 of the 2023Texas High School football season gets underway, there are multiple high-profile games that would qualify as our Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
But we’re settling for a rare Thursday night matchup at Tarleton State University where seventh-ranked 4A DI Stephenville (5-2, 1-0) will play host to fourth-ranked China Spring (6-2, 2-0) in a game will give the victor sole possession of first place in District 5.
Picking who wins it may come down to throwing darts, but I do believe China Spring has one key advantage.
Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (as submitted by area coaches through Oct. 17)
Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m. roughout the regular season.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II WEEK 8 REPORT: Roscoe, Albany, Miles all come away victorious on Friday
Roscoe 57, Abilene TLCA 0 — In a game that was halted in the second half due to an injury scare, the Plowboys remained in district title contention with a win over the Eagles.
Jace Arnwine threw for 213 yards and two scores and Aiden Cema rushed for 116 yards and two more TDs to lift Roscoe (6-1, 2-0), which faces defending state champion Albany next week for sole possession of first place in the district.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Hico hosts Dawson with high playoff seeds in the balance (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)
LAST WEEK: 41-7, .854
SEASON TOTAL: 307-71, .812
Big Country Preps makes a point of sharing the love and we look for opportunities to take our Game of the Week to as many different places that make sense each year.
Yet since our inaugural season in 2018, a rebuilding Hico football team missed our spotlight game for five straight seasons.
That drought ends this week when BCP visits Hico for the first time as the Tigers (5-2, 2-1 District 10-2A DII) host Dawson (5-1, 2-0) in a crucial matchup with high seed implications.
Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (as submitted by area coaches through Oct. 10)
Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m. roughout the regular season.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS NOTEBOOK: Mentioned tonight … Forsan, Anson, Albany and Goldthwaite
After opening the season with a 50-34 loss to archrival Coahoma on Aug. 25, the Forsan Buffaloes have set about improving things and gradually chipped away with consecutive wins over Post (1-5), Stanton (1-5), McCamey (2-4) and Kermit (1-6) to improve to 4-1 prior to their open date on Sept. 29.
A solid effort, but nothing eye-popping.
However, the Buffs followed that with a district-opening 42-12 win over a very good Reagan County team (4-2, 0-1) last week and will enter this week’s home date with Anthony at 5-1 and 1-0.
DISTRICT 6 2A DIV. II Week 7 Report: Albany routs Miles; Hamlin, Roscoe win
Albany 41, Miles 0 — Adam Hill rushed for 184 yards and three scores and Chip Chambers threw for 195 yards and three more TDs to lift Albany to an easy win over Miles.
The Lions finished with 475 yards in total offense while limiting a much-publicized Miles offense to 105 total yards.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Clyde heads to Vernon for district-opening battle of unbeatens
LAST WEEK: 37-3, .925
SEASON TOTAL: 266-64, .806
Contrast in styles games make for excellent entertainment and are usually high on our list of potential Big Country Preps Games of the Week.
Friday we have such a matchup when Clyde (5-0) travels to Vernon (5-0) in the District 3-3A DI opener for both clubs. Clyde and its power spread offense capable of running or throwing the ball well, against a run-based multiple attack used by Vernon that seems almost out of the 1950s.
Both clubs are good at what they do. Both are physical and both are fully aware of how important this league opener is. In fact, this may end up ranking as one of the more physical Games of the Week we’ll see in 2023.
Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (as submitted by area coaches through Oct. 3)
Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m. roughout the regular season.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cisco running back takes this week’s accolade
After an 0-4 start against a brutal non-district slate, the Cisco Loboes have rebounded with a pair of wins in district play, most recently, Friday’s 48-7 victory over Winters at Chesley Field.
Our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, senior running back Gus Hart, was at the forefront of that win with 173 yards and six touchdowns on only 14 carries.
“Gus had a great game against Winters,” coach Kevin Stennett said. “He has battled some injuries this year and he is finally getting back to 100 percent. “We will rely on him heavily over the next few weeks.”
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II WEEK 6 REPORT: Roscoe wins while remainder of district takes a break
Most of District 6-2A Division II was idle on Friday, with district play opening next week. Roscoe’s tough win over Junction was the lone game played, with the rest of the league enjoying a bye.
Here’s a quick look at the approaching district matchups:
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Yellow Jackets head to Brownwood to face archrival
LAST WEEK: 46-12, .793
SEASON TOTAL: 229-61, .789
More often than not, Big Country Preps makes an appearance at the annual Stephenville-Brownwood matchup. Because more often than not, it produces a game worthy of one of Texas’ top rivalries.
This year is no exception as Stephenville travels to famous Gordon Wood Stadium for the Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
FEATURE: Albany’s Hill becomes focal point of offensive attack
By Zach Duncan, special to Big Country Preps
Before this season, Albany supporters would probably agree that Adam Hill made the biggest impact on the defensive side.
After all, that’s where Hill generated the most headlines last year, earning first-team Texas Sports Writers Association honors at defensive end.
Hill is still a menace at chasing quarterbacks for the No. 1 Lions, but the senior has also seen an increased offensive workload through non-district. Hill’s 825 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns are among the Big Country leaders as Albany has turned to him as the feature back.
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II Week 5 Report: Albany tops Comanche, Cross Plains, Hamlin both collect victories
Albany 31, Comanche 13 — Chip Chambers passed for 178 yards and three touchdowns and Adam Hill rushed for 136 yards and a score to lead the Lions to a comfortable win over the Indians.
Behind those two, Albany outscored Comanche 10-0 in the third quarter, stretching a 14-7 halftime lead to three scores by the start of the fourth.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Sweetwater plays host to Clyde in battle of unbeatens
LAST WEEK: 44-11, .800
SEASON TOTAL: 183-49, .788
Some weeks are just loaded with competitive area games and Week 5 of the 2023 season falls squarely into that category.
This week’s menu features six or seven games that under normal circumstances, would qualify for our Big Country Preps Game of the Week. This forces us to push some great matchups aside to select our spotlight game.
This week, we go with a battle of unbeatens — Class 3A Division I Clyde (4-0) at Class 4A Div. II Sweetwater (4-0) — at the famed Mustang Bowl at SHS.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Moran running back takes the award with insane performance
There are big games and then there are those that border on insanity.
Moran running back Ellis Hise, our Big Country Preps Player of the Week for the week ending Sept. 16, fell squarely into the latter category on Saturday with a performance that was absolutely nuts.
Helping the Bulldogs to a thrilling 68-67 win over Mullin in one of the top six-man games the Big Country has seen this year, Hise rushed for 287 yards and six touchdowns on only 26 carries. But that’s just the beginning.
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II WEEK 4 REPORT: Albany tops Hawley in battle of state champs; Roscoe, Hamlin both win
Albany 27, Hawley 14 — Albany improved to 4-0 with a win in this matchup of defending state champions behind three TD passes from Chip Chambers.
Leading 27-14 at the break, the Lions held on through a scoreless second half at Hardin-Simmon’ Shelton Stadium in a game that was moved due to Hawley’s Forrest Field being rendered unplayable by recent rainfall.
Hawley (2-2) was led by Keagan Ables, who threw for 231 yards and one score.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cooper’s Bray takes this week’s top spot
When it comes to individual performances, there are big games and there are big games.
And then there’s what Cooper junior Daniel Bray did against San Angelo Central last week in leading the Cougars to their first win of the season.
The explosive tailback, who had been limited some in the first two weeks by a nagging ankle injury and the growing pains of a young offensive line, broke out in a historic way in that 53-45 victory over the Bobcats. By the time the game was over, he had rushed for a school-record 366 yards and seven touchdowns on just 21 carries, making a case for our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award that was too compelling to pass over — even in a week with a number of other monster performances.
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II WEEK 3 REPORT: Hill’s big game fuels Albany past Seymour; Roscoe, Hamlin take care of business
Albany 41, Seymour 14 — The Lions threw for only 26 yards, but with Adam Hill rushing for 326 yards and four scores, they didn’t really need to throw the football around much.
Albany improved to 3-0 with the win.
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II WEEK 2 REPORT: Hamlin chalks up first victory for Botos, Albany wins big at Dublin
Hamlin 19, Water Valley 14 — First-year Hamlin Coach Jason Botos earned his first victory as his Pied Pipers rushed for 201 yards as a team.
Clayton Rister led Hamlin (1-1) with 113 yards rushing on 14 carries with one TD.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Snyder’s Stewart takes our first award of the school year
After a summer-long effort to produce our football preview, it is good to be back in our school year routine — a big part of which is our Big Country Preps Player of the Week.
That said, we are proud to hand our first accolade for 2023-24 to Snyder senior quarterback Easton Stewart, who led the Tigers to a 42-0 season-opening win over Slaton last week.
DISTRICT 6-2A DII WEEK 1 REPORT: Roscoe opens season with big win over C-City
Roscoe 42, Colorado City 0 — Roscoe used a dual-threat offense and a strong defensive effort to beat C-City in the opener for both teams.
Jace Arnwine threw for 258 yards and two scores and Ivan McCann rushed for 139 yards and two more touchdowns to lift the Plowboys, who limited C-City to only 107 yards in total offense.
Continue reading “DISTRICT 6-2A DII WEEK 1 REPORT: Roscoe opens season with big win over C-City”
ALBANY FEATURE: Faith taking things one year, one month and one day at a time
“When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer.”
— Hans Gruber, Die Hard, 1988
ALBANY — When he won the world chess championship in 1973 after pursuing it for much of his life, American Bobby Fischer woke up the next day and later reflected that “everything felt different.” He soon vacated the title and never played in an officially sanctioned world championship match again.
This sort of thing isn’t uncommon for those who spend decades chasing after a goal. Once it’s finally achieved, the question then becomes, how do I stay hungry? With the driving force behind all the hard work suddenly stripped away by success, where does one find additional energy?
Albany football coach Denney Faith found himself facing this challenge over the offseason, after a 36-year pursuit of a state championship finally came to an end with a victory over Mart for the Class 2A DII state title last year.
2023 ALBANY FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Lions will lean on defense, running game early
ALBANY — Even while coming off a Class 2A DII state championhip, there are a few questions to be answered by the Albany Lions and veteran coach Denney Faith.
The good news for the Lions, is that they will have some tools in place to buy themselves a little time while sorting things out.
Scenes from Big Country Preps Photo Tour Day 1
Day 1 of Big Country Preps’ 2023 Photo Tour is now in the books, with seven more days of shooting yet to come from practice fields throughout the area.
Here are but a few of the images collected Monday:
Continue reading “Scenes from Big Country Preps Photo Tour Day 1”
COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Albany Lions … 40 days to two-a-days
Football is just around the corner, and we at BigCountryPreps.com are committed to bringing you the information you need to prepare for your favorite team’s season.
We’ll be releasing our Big Country Preps Preseason Football Preview, the most comprehensive look at the upcoming Big Country football season anywhere, on Wednesday, Aug. 16. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.
Leading up to the first day of fall football practice on July 31, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2023 as part of our annual “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.
We begin in Class 2A Division II with the Albany Lions. On Thursday, we will take a look at the Cross Plains Buffaloes, followed by the Hamlin Pied Pipers on Friday.
Continue reading “COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Albany Lions … 40 days to two-a-days”
PHOTO GALLERY: Albany-New Home baseball regional semifinal playoff (108 images)
Digital photos, prints and keepsakes may be purchased by clicking the link below. The “BigCountryPreps.com” watermark will be removed from all purchased photos.
Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Albany-New Home baseball regional semifinal playoff (108 images)”
GAME STORY: Waggoner’s blast, Chapman’s relief effort fuel Albany past New Home in Game 1
The Albany baseball team struck the first blow in its Region I-2A semifinal series against New Home, using a Zane Waggoner home run to kick start a four-run fourth inning and rally past the Leopards for a 5-2 win in Game 1 on Thursday at Abilene Christian High School.
Prior to Waggoner’s big fly, the Lions had tallied just one hit against New Home starter Ashton Lucio, taking a 1-0 deficit into the bottom of the fourth. But that hit opened the flood gates for coach David Fairchild’s squad, which went on to outhit the Leopards 9-3 in the victory.
Five of those hits came during the fourth-inning outburst, which made a winner out of ace Cole Chapman, who relieved starter Tyler Chapman in the second inning and delivered 5.2 innings of two-run baseball to get the Lions off to a winning start.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jernigan takes our final award for 2022-23
Our final Big Country Preps Player of the Week for the 2022-23 school year could have gone any number of directions.
We finally settled on Goldthwaite junior Lainey Jernigan, who swept both the girls 2A hurdles titles at the state meet last week.
Jernigan won the 100 hurdles in 14.62 and the 300 hurdles in 44.12. And the good news for GHS fans is, she’s coming back to defend both crowns next year.
STATE TRACK ROUNDUP: Stamford girls claim share of Class 2A team title
AUSTIN — After a slow start in the field events on Friday saw the Big Country net just four medals, things heated up in the evening session when the track events got rolling.
Big Country athletes picked up 10 medals under the lights at Mike A. Meyers Stadium at the University of Texas, giving the area 14 for the day.
On top of that, the Stamford girls team finished in a three-way tie with Refugio and Panhandle with 32 points to claim a share of the state championship. Goldthwaite’s girls finished three points back in fourth.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Stephenville’s Cameron takes this week’s award
It’s always a great accomplishment to go to the state track meet in multiple events. But when it’s done in dominating fashion at the Class 4A level or above, you’re generally talking about a very special, gifted athlete.
Our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, Victoria Cameron of Stephenville, falls directly into that category and she has the regional hardware to prove it.
Taking four gold medals at the Region I-4A meet, Cameron scored 30 individual points while clinching four berths to the state meet.
REGION II-2A TRACK RECAP: Albany, Cisco go 1-2 in boys race; Stamford shares girls title
SPRINGTOWN — Big Country athletes made a big showing at the Region II-2A track meet, collecting a combined 37 medals and clinching 28 state berths over the two-day event at Porcupine Stadium.
Along the way, Albany and Cisco went 1-2 in the boys team race, while Stamford shared the girls team title with Era and Hamilton.
The Albany Lions had the highest point total of any program, boys or girls, collecting five medals on the way to 70 points, while the Cisco boys followed closely behind with 67 points. Stamford finished third in the boys team race with 64 points, while the girls earned 56 points to finish in a three-way tie atop the team standings.
PHOTO GALLERY: Cisco-Albany baseball (106 images)
Digital photos, prints and keepsakes may be purchased by clicking the link below. The “BigCountryPreps.com” watermark will be removed from all purchased photos.
Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Cisco-Albany baseball (106 images)”
GAME STORY: Chapman helps Albany clinch District 8-2A title with 10-0 Senior Night win over Cisco
ALBANY — Senior Cole Chapman pitched five shutout innings and delivered a pair of hits, including a two-run triple in the second, to fuel the Albany baseball team to a 10-0 Senior Night win over Cisco on Tuesday at the Albany Lions Baseball Field.
Behind Chapman’s efforts, AHS (9-1 in league play) claimed its eighth consecutive win to clinch the outright title in District 8-2A and take a 17-2 overall record into the playoffs next week.
The Lions, who topped Cisco 4-0 the first time the teams met on April 4, took advantage of 10 walks and a pair of Loboes errors in Tuesday’s rematch, scoring in each of the first four innings before capping the run-rule victory with a single run in the sixth.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Phillips takes yet another Player of the Week award
Clyde’s Payton Phillips is no stranger to our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award. She’s no stranger to gold medals either.
And for the third time since last year, the CHS senior has captured our weekly accolade — this time with an armful of hardware.
In her latest performance, Phillips won four separate district championships and took silver in a fifth at the District 6-3A track meet.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Albany’s Chapmans share this week’s award
It’s not often that a Big Country baseball team charts two no-hitters in the same week. But when two pitchers with the same last name are charting the no-nos it’s about as common as the planets aligning.
That was the case last week with the Albany Lions, who in sweeping Haskell (15-0) and Stamford (11-1) saw Cole and Tyler Chapman (non-siblings) post back-to-back no-hitters.
Cole, a senior, blanked Haskell in four innings of work in a mercy rule win, fanning six. Three days later, Tyler got into the act in a five-inning run-rule win with 12 Ks.
They now share our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award — another rarity.
“We were very proud of our pitchers last week,” Albany coach David Fairchild said. “Both pitchers were in control and in command of their pitches.”