ARLINGTON, TX — Day Two of the 2023 Texas High School State Championships kicked off on Thursday, December 14, with the 2A Division II Final’s rematch between the defending champion Albany Lions and the Mart Panthers. Albany built a three-score lead in the first half and completely shut down Mart on offense throughout the game. The Panthers never managed to dig themselves out of the hole, and Albany won the rematch and another state championship 28-10.
1st Half
Neither team started hot on offense as Mart threw a pick, and Albany went three and out. Mart broke the initial stalemate on its second possession on a 38-yard field goal. After that, both defenses took over again, and no one scored for the remainder of the 1st quarter.
The Lions’ offense finally broke out in the 2nd quarter. Texas Tech commit Adam Hill busted through the middle of the defense on his way to a 52-yard touchdown run. Albany took the lead and would never trail again. Albany’s defense smothered the Panthers throughout the contest as Mart failed to kickstart anything after the initial field goal.
Albany’s quarterback, Chip Chambers, threw two touchdown passes before the end of the half. On the first, Chambers found Branson Beal for a 27-yard strike to put the Lions up 14-3. Just before halftime, Chambers found Hill near the goal line on a 2-yard touchdown. Albany led at the break, 21-3.
2-Time Defending 2A Division II Champions Albany Lions
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Scott Menchaca)
2nd Half
Mart made great halftime adjustments as the Panthers came out on fire on defense. Mart did not allow Albany to gain a single first down in the 3rd quarter. The Lions ran 13 offensive plays in the quarter and only gained 14 yards. However, the Panthers arguably played even worse on offense as Mart committed its third turnover of the afternoon and turned the ball over on downs.
Mart finally scored again in the 4th quarter. After the Panthers gained only 40 yards in the 3rd quarter, their first drive in the 4th accumulated 70 yards and a touchdown. A good combination between the backs in the backfield pushed the ball steadily toward the end zone until JD Bell punched in the touchdown from seven yards out. Mart trailed with time winding down in the 4th quarter, 21-10.
Albany ate the clock whenever the Lions had the ball in the 4th quarter. They even added a final touchdown to officially put the game out of reach with less than a minute to play. Hill scored his third touchdown on the day on a 5-yard touchdown run near the goal line. Albany successfully defended its title and won the state championship rematch against Mart to claim the 2023 2A Division II State Title 28-10.
2A Division II Offensive MVP Albany's Adam Hill
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Scott Menchaca)
The Lions Adam Hill finished his high school football career with Offensive MVP Honors. The future Red Raider had 24 carries for 139 yards and two touchdowns. He also added one catch for two yards and an additional touchdown.
2A Division II Defensive MVP Zane Waggoner
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Scott Menchaca)
The Lions also claimed defensive MVP honors in their championship performance. Zane Waggoner finished his day with nine tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack. He also averaged 38 yards on his five punts on the day.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: