Albany Middle downs Merry Acres in spring jamboree

ALBANY — The Albany Middle School Indians left little doubt about how far they’ve come this spring.

Behind a dominant defensive performance and a big day from Rayshon Mathis and Jamikel Tiller, the Indians rolled to a 32-0 win over the Merry Acres Braves Saturday morning at Westover High School, closing out spring practice for both programs in emphatic fashion.

Albany set the tone early and never let go.

After taking an early 6-0 lead, Quarterback Josiah West got the Indians into the end zone again, connecting with  Tiller on a short screen pass that quickly turned into a 55-yard touchdown. Moments later, Albany struck again, when Mathis broke numerous tackles and raced to the sideline and into the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown run and then added the two-point conversion. The Indians led 20-0 at the half. 

From there, the Indians’ defense dictated the game.

Merry Acres struggled to generate any consistent offense, with Albany swarming to the ball and limiting the Braves to minimal gains throughout the first half.

The second half brought more of the same.

Mathis added another touchdown on an 8-yard run in the third quarter, continuing to wear down the Braves’ defense. He later put the finishing touches on the game with an electrifying 85-yard touchdown run, breaking free in the open field to extend the lead to its final margin.

Merry Acres’ only real opportunity came in the third quarter after recovering a fumble and returning it down inside the 15-yard line. The Braves moved inside the 10-yard line, but the drive ended when Tiller stepped in front of a pass and intercepted it in the end zone, halting the threat.

From there, Albany closed it out with authority.

The Indians’ defense never allowed the Braves to find rhythm, and their offense capitalized on nearly every opportunity, capping off a spring session that ended with both momentum and confidence.

For Albany, Saturday wasn’t just a win — it was a statement heading into the months ahead.