Mansfield, Texas -- The Cayuga Wildcats came into the Class A, Division II title game against the Albany Lions with a quarterback that has signed to play for Texas A&M, a running back bound for the University of Texas and as many as three more solid D1 prospects.
But it was gifted Albany running back Elijah Hudson and a gritty Lion offensive line that stole the show in the early action of the contest played Saturday afternoon at Mansfield ISD's Vernon Newsom Stadium.
Albany running back Elijah Hudson takes off for a 49 yard gain.
Hudson had 136 yards in the first quarter, reeling off impressive runs of 49 yards and 28 yards as Albany jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the opening stanza.
The Lions received the opening kickoff, however the ball got away from the deep man in the return formation and Albany was forced to set up shop at their own 10-yard line. Ten plays and 90 yards later, Hudson followed the surging right side of his offensive line into the end zone from one yard out.
Albany stunned Cayuga with a high, short onsides kick that the Lions raced down and recovered at the Wildcats' 47-yard line. A pair of offside penalties and a sack gave Albany a third-and-28. So, they handed to ball to Hudson and he rambled 28 yards for a first down. A big, physical Wildcat defense refused to budge on the next two plays, bringing up third-and-11 from the Cayuga 38-yard line. Albany handed off to Hudson and the elusive running back raced to the sidelines and then dived for the final four yards and another first down. Albany moved the chains on another third-and-long when quarterback Leif Johnston floated a pass out to wide receiver Jason Brothers in the flats and Brothers gave the Lions a first down at the Cayuga 12-yard line. This time the Wildcats held their ground, but Albany's Zed Hawkins booted a 25-yard field goal and the Lions had a 10-0 advantage going into the second period.
But things happen fast when a team is blessed with speed and Cayuga jumped back into the fray when quarterback Malcome Kennedy got loose for a 68-yard touchdown run on the third play from the line of scrimmage.
Albany's next drive stalled at the Cayuga 28-yard line, but the Wildcats coughed the ball up on their first play and Hudson, who also doubles as a very active middle linebacker, recovered the fumble.
The Lions quickly took advantage of the turnover. Hudson picked up seven yards on first down. On second down, a tackler had Hudson in his sights, but a smooth spin move left the Wildcat grabbing air and Albany had another first down.
Cayuga was crowding the line of scrimmage and keying on Albany's go-to-guy, but his time of the year you dance with the one that brung you, so Albany gave the ball to Hudson again and he twisted and fought for nine yards. That brought up a second-and-one, and once more the Lions called Hudson's number. The running back picked up three yards, giving the Lions a first-and-goal at the Cayuga eight-yard line. On the following play, Hudson waited on a hole to develop over his right guard, cut to his left and went in standing up.
The Lions had a 17-7 lead with 6:52 remaining in the first half. Albany head coach Denney Faith had planned his work and the Lions were working his plan: Run the ball, eat up the clock and make Kennedy & Company play defense.
But Cayuga struck quickly again. A hand-off to Trayon Shead went for 50 yards. The Wildcats scored when Kennedy spotted Billy Duncan in the open and the 19-yard throw and run cut the lead to 17-14.
The Cayuga defense put the ball back in their offense's hands and this time Kennedy hit Shead on a well-designed screen over the middle. Shead went in from 21 yards out. The PAT was blocked, but suddenly it was Cayuga on top, 20-17 at halftime.
Albany kicked off to start the second half and Kennedy got loose on a 22-yard scoring jaunt to stretch the Cayuga lead to 26-17.
Cayuga quarterback Malcome Kennedy follows his blockers.
The Lions knew it was now or never. Albany drove down to the Cayuga 30, but found themselves facing a fourth-and-five. Albany offensive coordinator and former Bonham Purple Warrior standout David Fairchild reached into his bag of tricks and pulled out the right play. A play action pass with the defense watching Hudson left Jason Brothers one-on-one with Kennedy, the Cayuga safety. Brothers got a step behind Kennedy and Albany quarterback Leif Johnston hit Brothers in stride for a 30-yard TD strike.
Albany was only down two points, 26-24, going into the fourth quarter. However, it was Cayuga with the game's final two touchdowns and the Wildcats earned theUIL Class A, Division II Championship with a 38-24 victory.
