Albany’s returning starters look
to improve record again
DISTRICT 12-A
By
Troy Shockley
Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 24, 2003
Returning a slew of offensive and defensive
starters from the 2002 season, Albany is in good shape to improve
its record for the second straight year.
After a tough 2001 season that saw the Lions finish with a
3-7 overall record and a 2-3 mark in District 8-2A, the team bettered
itself in its new home of District 12-A in 2002.
Last season’s overall record was 6-5, and the squad ended
the regular season in second place with a 4-1 district record.
Returning from that second-place group are 14 lettermen, and
eight starters from both the offense and defense.
Headlining the offensive returnees will be Jordan Morales.
The 5-11, 150-pound senior was nominated to the first-team all-district,
third-team all-state and Abilene Reporter-News Class A All-Big
Country squads as a receiver. Morales will also be seeing time
on defense in 2003 in the secondary.
Another standout returning to the Pride is Peyton Parsons.
The senior was also selected to be on the all-district, all-state
and All-Big Country teams for his contributions as a punter.
Albany’s defense will also have a returning player with 2002
postseason honors. Ted Tidwell, a 5-10, 175-pound senior, was
selected as a first-team all-district linebacker and was also
named as an All-Big Country player.
The services of both the offensive and defensive Newcomers
of the Year will also be available to Denny Faith, now entering
his 17th season as head coach in Albany.
Spencer Balliew, the 5-9, 150-pound junior quarterback and Offensive
Newcomer of the Year, will again be directing the offensive attack.
He may see time on defense in the secondary.
Mike Wilson, the Defensive Newcomer of the Year, will again
be playing as a linebacker. Wilson, also a junior, is 6-2, 205
pounds, and will share time at running back.
Other returnees are Adam Cisneros, Alex Rodriquez, McKenzie
Viertel and Justin Rodriquez — all selected to the all-district
team following the 2002 season.
SCHEDULE
August
29 at Olney 7:30 p.m.
September
5 Dublin 7:30 p.m.
12 at Coleman 7:30 p.m.
26 Knox City 7:30 p.m.
October
3 Haskell 7:30 p.m.
10 Santo* 7:30 p.m.
17 at Throckmorton* 7:30 p.m.
24 Windthorst* 7:30 p.m.
31 Archer City* 7:30 p.m.
November
7 at Perrin Whitt* 7:30 p.m.
* District games
Albany Lions
- School colors: red and white
- District: 12-A
- Last year’s record: 6-5 (4-1, second place)
- Last playoff appearance: 2002
- Last district championship: 1998
- Head coach: Denny Faith
- Career record: 116-54-4
- Years at current school: 17th
- Assistant coaches: Rod Britting, Jimmy Fuentes, Edward Morales,
David Fairchild
- Returning and/or probable starters: WR-DB Jordan Morales,
5-11, 150, Sr.; RB-DB Albert Martinez, 5-11, 175, Sr.; WR-DB
Brian Chapman, 5-10, 160, Sr.; OL-DL Kent Palmore, 6-2, 185,
Sr.; OL-DL Adam Cisneros, 5-10, 180, Sr.; WR-DB McKenzie Viertel,
5-11, 160, Sr.; RB-LB Ted Tidwell, 5-10, 175, Sr.; WR-DL Peyton
Parsons, 5-10, 175, Sr.; WR-DB Zach Jones, 5-9, 140, Sr.; WR-LB
Jacob Romell, 5-10, 160, Sr.; OL-DL Lance Jordan, 6-2, 190, Sr.;
OL-DL Josh Heatley, 5-11, 265, Sr.; QB-DB Spencer Balliew, 5-9,
150, Jr.; RB-LB Alex Rodriguez, 5-10, 185, Jr.; RB-LB Mike Wilson,
6-2, 205, Jr.; WR-DB Jon McBride, 6-0, 180, Jr.; OL-DL Robert
Sanchez, 5-11, 225, Jr.; OL-DL Justin Rodriguez, 5-10, 240, Sr.;
WR-DB James Chaviru, 5-9, 140, Jr.; WR-DB Cody Walker, 5-7, 145,
Jr.; OL-DL Tyrell Shoof, 6-3, 220, Jr.
- Position changes: none listed
- Returning all-district players: LB Tidwell (first team),
LB Wilson (first team), WR-DB Morales (first team), DL Cisneros
(second team), RB Rodriguez (first team), Off. Balliew (newcomer),
WR Viertel (second team), P Parson (first team), OL Rodriguez
(first team)
- Returning All-Big Country players: LB Tidwell, P Parson,
WR Morales
- Returning all-state players: WR-DB Morales (third team),
P Parsons (honorable mention)
- Top new players: none listed
- Transfers: none listed
- Team strengths: quickness
- Team weaknesses: none listed
|
