By Sam Waller

Two late interception returns for touchdowns were the difference for the Albany Lions junior varsity football team on Thursday, Sept. 22, in a 20-6 loss at Comanche.

While the rest of the Lions teams take an open date this week, the JV ­Lions (2-2) will play at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 at Hawley. The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 15 but cancelled so JV players could suit up for that week’s varsity game.

At Comanche, the Lions were tied 6-6 with three minutes left before the Indians scored on two returns.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, sponsored by the Albany Lions Club, will be in Albany in a little over a week, with two shows on Friday, Oct. 7.

Billed as “America’s last traditional Big Top Circus,” the troupe will feature 90 minutes of action including animal acts and high-flying aerials, according to the company’s website.

Shows are scheduled at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on that Friday.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions couldn’t make a fast start hold up as they concluded nondistrict play Friday, Sept. 23 with a 31-28 loss to the Comanche Indians at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The Lions (3-2) have their open date this week before opening District 6-2A Division II play Friday, Oct. 7 at Miles.

Albany dropped to No. 9 in the Class 2A Division II state rankings with its second consecutive loss, the first back-to-back losses for the Lions since 2019.

By Sam Waller

More than 20 people gathered in Shackelford County earlier this month for the Women of the Land  dove hunt sponsored by the Texas Wildlife Association.

The event was held Friday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 18, with attendees staying at the missile silo south of Albany.

The Texas Wildlife Association’s stated mission is to serve Texas wildlife and its habitat while protecting property rights, hunting heritage, and the conservation efforts of those who value and steward wildlife resources.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions volleyball team continued its hot streak with a pair of road victories last week, including a sweep of Bangs to open District 6-2A play.

The Lady Lions (17-7 overall, 1-0 district) had an open date on Tuesday, Sept. 27. The spikers will resume play Saturday, Oct. 1, with their second district match against Coleman at home.

Coach M.J. Reneau said the team is hitting its stride at the right time, having won seven in a row.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Lady Cubs split their final home matches of the season Monday, Sept. 26 against Abilene Christian with the eighth grade winning 25-19, 25-21, while the seventh grade lost in three sets 14-25, 25-19, 9-15.

The Lady Cubs play their last four matches on the road, starting Monday, Oct. 3 at Hawley.

Seventh Grade

The seventh grade Lady Cubs (2-6) came back to extend the match, but they were unable to maintain the momentum in the third set after taking an early lead.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs football teams split their games Thursday, Sept. 22 at Comanche with the seventh grade winning 22-18 and the eighth grade suffering a 20-6 loss.

The teams have this week off before hosting Miles on Thursday, Oct. 6 at Nail Stadium. The action gets underway at 4:30 p.m. with the seventh grade game.

Seventh Grade

Clay Chapman ran for two touchdowns and passed for one as the seventh grade Cubs improved to 4-0.

Chapman opened the scoring with a 2-yard run to take an early 6-0 lead.

By Sam Waller

Sue Breeden likes to bead, and judges at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo seem to like her work.

For the fourth year in a row, Breeden earned a blue ribbon for winning her class in the Pinterest Division at the fair.

“I enjoy doing it and probably will continue,” she said this week.

This year’s entry showed a bluebonnet garden with a hummingbird and different kinds of bees buzzing around a bouquet of colorful flowers.

“The whole project is beads,” Breeden said. “It took me quite a while to make this.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions and Lady Lions cross country runners battled the heat as well as the competition Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the Hamlin meet.

Albany runners competed in the Rotan meet Wednesday, Sept. 28. Results will be reported next week.

At Hamlin, Albany had five runners in a field of 45 in the varsity boys race, two of 58 runners in the varsity girls race, and four of 25 JV girls entries.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Volunteers are needed this Saturday, Oct. 1 to help decorate the town for the fall season.

Anyone wishing to help set up decorations should meet at the Chamber of Commerce office in the Depot at 9:00 a.m., according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

The Chamber purchased new fall decorations last year and will provide all the supplies necessary to put up the items that include fall wreaths and garland, along with cane cut by the Albany FFA members.