by Jeremy Benson, Grand River Conference Media LLC
Last season, the Albany Warriors got down to Nodaway Valley early, and the Thunder dominated 84-6. Albany wanted to show everyone that they could play with the #4-ranked Thunder this year.
The game started off fast as Albany's Clayton Griffin returned the opening kickoff to the Thunder's 29-yard line. Quarterback Zayden Palmer found the end zone on the first play from scrimmage to put the Warriors up 6-0. Nodaway Valley answered when Quarterback Braxton McGinness scored on a QB sneak from the 1-yd line. On their next three possessions, Albany reached the red zone, but were unable to score. Nodaway Valley was not able to take advantage of the first two with an interception by Elliot Mercer and a punt. After the third stop, McGinness found Tye Hoyt, who then outran the Warriors for a 44-yard TD. The Thunder went up 16-0 with 7:07 left in the half.
Albany was finally able to break the red-zone drought when Palmer ran it in for 15 yards with 2:21 left in the half to cut the Nodaway Valley lead to 16-14. What looked like what could be a tight game at half broke open when the Thunder's Dre Yapi returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown with 2:13 left in the half. Then, after Albany shanked a punt going 13 yards, Nodaway Valley scored again when McGinness found Jon Smock in the end zone from 30 yards. The Thunder would lead 32-14 at the half.
The only scoring in the third quarter came when McGinness connected with Jax Cowden from 16 yards to go up 38-14. Albany wouldn't go away. Zayden Palmer opened the 4th quarter with a 10-yard touchdown run, but Nodaway Valley answered when Hoyt outran Warrior defenders for a 41-yard touchdown.
Down 46-20, the Warriors could have given up, but they kept fighting. Palmer scored his 4th touchdown with a 29-yard run. They then recovered an onside kick, with Palmer adding a touchdown pass to his four rushing touchdowns. He connected with Griffin from 17 yards to cut the lead to 46-34 with 1:28 left. The Thunder turned it over on downs with 35 seconds left. However, in a last-ditch effort, Palmer was intercepted by Cooper Morrow, and the Thunder took a knee to win 46-34.
While Albany controlled the ground game 310 to 59 yards, the Thunder's passing game gave them the edge, outgaining Albany 238-84. McGinness was almost perfect through the air, going 15-for-17 with 238 yards passing and three touchdowns. Hoyt was the leading receiver with 10 receptions for 153 yards.
For the Warriors, Palmer had 18 rushes for 162 yards and four touchdowns. Mercer had 28 runs for 105 yards. In addition to his TD reception, Griffin also had two punt returns for 15 yards and six kickoff returns for 49 yards.
I caught up with Albany coach Doug Fountain after the game to discuss the Warriors' fight.
Albany is 1-1 and will host King City in the conference opener. King City is also 1-1.
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