By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions took the first step in the Class 2A Division II football playoffs with a 49-13 victory over the Eldorado Eagles on Friday, Nov. 11, at Sweetwater’s Mustang Bowl.

The Lions (9-2) look to extend their season for another week when they take on the Muenster Hornets in the area round at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 (tonight) at Graham’s Newton Field.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions claimed eight spots on the All-District 6-2A volleyball team, including three superlative honors.

Albany went 24-9 overall and 7-1 in district to share the championship with Hawley. The all-district team was selected by district coaches and announced last week following Hawley’s elimination from the playoffs.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions opened their basketball season on a successful note, beating Paint Creek 50-6 on Saturday, Nov. 12, at home.

The Lady Lions made their first road trip of the season Tuesday, Nov. 15, with a visit to Gordon, losing 59-12. Details will be reported next week.

Albany’s next games are Monday, Nov. 21 at home against Seymour, and Tuesday, Nov. 22 at Gorman before taking off for the Thanksgiving break.

Against Paint Creek, Briley Tabor scored 19 points and Kiana Roberson added 12. Tabor hit five of the team’s seven 3-pointers.

By Sam Waller

Seedings held up as all three division winners of the Albany NFL Flag Football League claimed their respective Super Bowl titles Saturday, Nov. 12 at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The Cowboys completed a perfect season in winning the Kindergarten-First Grade division.

The Titans also finished unbeaten to win the Second-Third Grade title after playing to a tie in their season opener in October.

The Broncos overcame a late-season loss to win the Fourth-Sixth Grade championship.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs basketball teams opened their seasons Monday, Nov. 14, with games against Abilene Christian.

The teams will take on Cisco on Monday, Nov. 21 in their second outings. The girls will play at home with the White team tipping off at 4:00 p.m. The boys will play at Cisco with the seventh grade starting at 5:30 p.m.

In Monday’s boys games, played at Albany, the seventh grade won 30-25, while the eighth grade lost 29-19.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Photo packages of flag football players that were ordered last month are now available for pickup at The Albany News, open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Packages that weren’t paid or couldn’t be charged to an existing account can still be purchased and ordered.

The cost of the packages for elementary age sports leagues is $20 plus tax.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chest is continuing to accept donations toward its fundraising goal of $47,000 for the 2022 campaign.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 15, the drive had raised $15,648, up more than $1,900 from the previous week.

The Albany Chest helps meet the needs of two dozen local organizations. Applicants for funds range from local service agencies to programs aimed at youth.

Here is a look at some of the 24 applicants.

Albany Softball

By Donnie A. Lucas

Four new COVID-19 cases were reported last week, as the number of local cases rose slightly but continues to remain low based on information provided by Albany’s two health clinics.

The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued Tuesday reported four positive test results out of nine tests administered at the two local clinics for the period of Nov. 7 through Nov. 11.

There was one positive case out of nine tests for the week of Oct. 31 through Nov. 4.

The News will be printing Santa letters and holiday essays in the Christmas issue to be published on Thursday, Dec. 22.

Students at Albany and Moran schools will be writing letters at school, which will be submitted to the News office by their teachers.

Children at several other local facilities, such as First Love Day Care,  will also be assisted by their instructors in writing letters to Santa.

However, parents of any other preschool or home schooled students who would like to submit letters may bring them to the newspaper office by Friday, Dec. 2.

By Sam Waller

Every member of the Moran Lady Bulldogs earned a spot on the All-District 14-1A volleyball team.

Moran made program history this season, winning the school’s first bi-district championship in volleyball. The Lady Bulldogs finished 5-17, beating Rising Star in a district playoff for second place before downing Three Way in the playoffs.

Alli Scott was named Defensive MVP, with Emily Murk and Alyssa Allred earning first-team honors.