ALBANY, TX — The Albany Lions showed why they’re the two-time defending state champions Friday with a 47-15 win over Miles.
The game wasn’t quite as lopsided as the final score might indicate, however, as Miles pulled within 12 points of Albany late in the third quarter.
When Liam Yancy found Devin Medina for a 4-yard TD pass to cut the deficit to 27-15 with 4:19 left in the third quarter, the Bulldogs had momentum on their side and a window of opportunity.
Miles' momentum was gone in an instant, however, as Albany’s Branson Beal returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, sparking a big finish for the Lions.
Beal also had 19 carries for 118 yards and three TDs on the ground, all of them in the first half as Albany built a 27-8 halftime lead.
"When we cut it to 12, we did not execute our kickoff. We kicked it to the wrong guy," Miles head coach Jayson Wilhelm said. "That was enormous, because we had some momentum. ... To have that kickoff return, that knocked the wind out of our sails."
Miles never scored again, and Albany rattled off the final 20 points with three big-play touchdowns.
A 59-yard TD pass from Chip Chambers to Huffman Heatly with 9:18 remaining sealed the deal for Albany. Breylon Billington added a 58-yard TD run a few minutes later.
“Their quickness is something we have not seen this year,” Wilhelm said. “I told the guys, we’ve seen some speed and good teams like Ozona and Sonora, but this is a different level.
“And that’s what makes them so stinkin’ good. They’re so quick up there, and they’ve been doing the same stuff for so long, and they’re really good at it.”
The Miles Bulldogs run out of the tunnel before their game against Albany on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
No. 5-ranked Albany improved to 4-2 and 1-0 in District 7-1A Division II. Miles fell to 4-2 and 0-1.
Albany will play at Winters next week, while Miles will travel to Cross Plains.
Albany's defense, led by a relentless pass rush, limited Miles quarterback Liam Yancy to 14-of-28 passing for 159 yards and two TDs.
The Lions locked down Miles' rushing attack, holding their running backs to a combined 28 yards.
Miles was without explosive running back Tevin Meade, who had 671 yards and 11 TDs in four games before suffering a knee injury.
Wilhelm hopes to have Meade back soon.
“We’ve still got to get healthy and get Tevin back on the field. He makes a big difference for us,” Wilhelm said.
Miles cornerback Cooper Ellison prepares to defend Albany wide receiver Calvin Fairchild on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
Miles standout wide receiver Cooper Ellison had six catches for 56 yards. He also had an interception on Albany's opening drive, then picked off a pass on a two-point attempt and returned it 92 yards for a score.
Chambers was 11-of-17 passing for 128 yards and two TDs for Albany. Heatly accounted for nearly all of the receiving production with eight catches for 119 yards and two TDs.
Miles will now try to run the table in its remaining four games to secure second place in its district."We've got a mature bunch with lots of seniors. Coming here was a tough chore, and we knew it. Our leadership will step up and we'll get refocused for next week," Wilhelm said.
Miles head coach Jayson Wilhelm talks to his team after their loss to Albany on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
Albany 47, Miles 15
Miles 0 8 7 0 — 15
Albany 7 20 6 14 — 47
First Quarter
A — Branson Beal 7 run (Zane Green kick), 2:17
Second Quarter
M — Keagan Walz 27 pass from Liam Yancy (kick failed), 11:06
A — Beal 14 run (Green kick), 8:40
A — Beal 4 run (Green kick), 6:03
A — Huffman Heatly 12 pass from Chip Chambers (pass failed), 1:47
M — Cooper Ellison 92 PAT interception return, 1:47
Third Quarter
M — Devin Medina 4 pass from Yancy (Jaylen Torres kick), 4:19
A — Beal 85 kickoff return (kick failed), 4:07
Fourth Quarter
A — Heatly 59 pass from Chambers (Woods Peterson pass from Chambers), 9:18
A — Breylon Billington 58 run (kick failed), 5:57
The Shackelford County Courthouse can be seen in the distance from the top of the stands at Albany's Robert Nail Memorial Stadium at Denney Faith Field during the football game between Albany and Miles on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
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