Cairo beats Albany to win subregion crown

ALBANY — Though their season hasn’t gone as they hoped, the Albany Indians marched into Friday night’s matchup at Hugh Mills Stadium with not much more than pride on the line.

But with a bitter taste from a last-second loss against Monroe a week ago, Cairo High would made short work of the Indians with a 38-7 victory, clinching the Region 1-AAAA ‘A’ subregion crown. The Syrupmakers will play host to Bainbridge for the region title.

The Indians, meanwhile, will get a rematch with Dougherty to finish out the season.

Albany kept it close for almost two quarters until special teams mishaps derailed its hopes for an upset.

The Syrupmakers (5-4, 3-1 Region 1-AAAA ‘A’) marched down the field on their first possession, employing a full-house backfield. They would cap the drive with a 19-yard connection between Austin Shattles and D.J. Donaldson.

The Indians (0-9, 0-4) came up empty on their first three possessions but showed signs of life when junior defensive back Aleem Jones intercepted a pass from Shattles and returned it 45 yards for a score.

After giving up another touchdown on a short field, however, the Indians went three and out. On the ensuing punt, the ball was snapped over the punter’s head. Jamal Thomas recovered in the endzone to give Cairo a 21-7 lead. Though Jones picked off another pass on the next drive, the Indians’ offense couldn’t capitalize.

From that point on, the Syrupmakers kept their foot on the gas.

Cairo completes the regular season with a 3-1 record against the four metro-area schools. Furthermore, closing the season out with a bang gives the Syrupmakers momentum going into their matchup with Bainbridge. The winner earns the region’s No. 1 seed, while the loser will be the second seed, and both teams will host first-round playoffs games that begin on Nov. 13.

Indians junior tailback Keiron Broussard finished with 11 carries for 112 yards in a losing effort. Austin Shattles led the Syrupmakers with 72 yards on nine carries.