By Sam Waller

Ashton Bailey returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and the Albany Lions junior varsity football team rolled to a 41-0 victory last Thursday at Anson.

Bailey finished with three touchdowns, and Cason Fairchild scored two, while Albany (5-0) forced five turnovers.

“I thought we dominated on both sides of the ball,” coach David Fairchild said. “I was very pleased with our effort as a team. The defense played with some aggression, and the offense operated smoothly.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Lady Cubs’ volleyball team had their busiest day of the season Saturday as each played three matches at the Hawley tournament.

On Tuesday, the seventh grade played at Woodson and the eighth grade played at Ranger. Both teams will play Abilene TLC next Tuesday

Eighth Grade

The eighth grade team got the week started on Sept. 21 by defeating Rising Star 25-6, 25-13.

“The kids continue to show improvement,” coach Missy Dutchover said. “They did a good job serving.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs split their games at Anson last Thursday with the eighth grade winning 20-8, while the seventh grade suffered its first loss 16-8.

Both teams return to action Thursday (today) at Olney. The seventh grade will play at 4:00 p.m., followed by the eighth grade and junior varsity.

Eighth Grade

Calhan Fairchild had touchdowns passing, receiving, and on an interception return to lead the Cubs (4-0).

“I was very pleased with our effort on both sides of the ball,” coach David Fairchild said.

By Sam Waller

Jonathan Coody finished 11th in the varsity boys race at the Hamlin Cross Country Meet on Sept. 22 to lead Albany’s contingent.

Six runners competed for Albany, including three in the junior high girls race.

The meet was Albany’s first since running Sept. 8 at Eula.

“I believe that the week of not running in a meet helped us to rest and refreshed us,” coach Tate Thompson said. “The kids came out and ran well.”

Albany’s next meet will be Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Anson.

By Sam Waller

After getting an unexpected weekend off and struggling through last Friday’s game, the Moran Bulldogs hope to get things on track with their scheduled open date this week.

The Bulldogs’ open District 9-1A Division II play Oct. 8 at Paint Creek.

“It’s going to be good for us,” Bulldogs coach John Hughes said of the bye. “It gives us two weeks to get ready for Paint Creek. Just getting a little bit healthier than we have been is going to be the big thing.”

The Moran Lady Bulldogs dropped a four-set decision at Woodson on Saturday, falling 24-26,  14-25, 25-17, 25-27.

“This was the best Saturday morning match we have played,” Lady Bulldogs coach Jo Hise said. “We are working well as a team, settling into our rotation.”

Johnnie Hise had five kills, and Hannah Rogers had six assists.

In the first set, Harmony Slaughter and Vivi Green each had five service points. Green had five more in the third set with Rogers adding four. Slaughter served for four points in the fourth set.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive ­COVID-19 test results held about the same last week, with a total of 66 tests administered with 20 positives.

The numbers were provided by County Judge Robert Skelton on Monday and included results from both local clinics and the Shackelford County EMS.

The numbers reported were for the week of Sept. 13-17 at the three local locations providing testing.

A total of 44 tests were conducted during the week of Sept. 6-10, with 18 positives recorded.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With very little discussion, directors of the Shackelford County Hospital District okayed the proposed budgets for both the district and the clinic, along with the tax rate, at a meeting on Monday, Sept. 20.

A budget of $2,820,070 was approved during the district portion of Monday’s session, following an earlier clinic session that included approval of a $827,000 budget for fiscal year 2022.

The proposed tax rate of 20.67 cents, which is the no-new-revenue calculation, was adopted on a motion by Mike Folsom.

Clinic Report

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to help put up fall decorations in the downtown area and beyond this Saturday, Sept. 25.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said those wanting to help should arrive by 9:00 a.m. in the downtown block.

“They will see people running around everywhere,” Jones said. “The Chamber decorating committee will take all the decorations and place them by the poles. We welcome anyone to come help hang stuff up and get the town decorated for homecoming.”

Jones said everyone will be put to work.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce’s Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament will get underway Friday, Oct. 1 with a Karaoke Night at Webb Park following Albany High School’s homecoming football game.

“This will give the exes somewhere to go and sit and visit after the football game,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said. “It will serve as our kickoff to the next day because people cooking will be able to come in and set up Friday afternoon.”

Check-in for the cookoff will be 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday.