By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs endured a rough week, dropping two games by large margins.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, Moran lost 72-12 at Rotan. Alyssa Allred led the Lady Bulldogs with five points, followed by Kacenda Thompkins with four, Alli Scott with two, and Neveah Huskey with one.

On Friday, Dec. 16, the Lady Bulldogs dropped a 34-15 decision at Brookesmith. Allred again led Moran in scoring with seven points. LeAnna Sikes, Alayna Baker, Samantha Hinkle, and Thompkins each had two points.

By Sam Waller

Albany Lions head football coach Denney Faith finally has the one career achievement that had been missing from his resume – the same resume he has apparently not seen the need to update for more than three decades.

By Sam Waller

Students at Moran ISD are on holiday break following the end of classes on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The school district will conduct a staff development day on Monday, Jan. 9, before starting the spring semester on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Classes will be held that Friday, Jan. 13, the last scheduled Friday classes for the school year.

“I think it was the offensive line and the run game, just being able to dominate up front, then the defense not giving Mart anything.”

– Lineman Wyatt Beard

on the key to Albany winning the state championship

“It was our defense. We had to corral their running game and make Mart throw it down the field where our safeties could come up with some interceptions and get all the turnovers we could.”

– Linebacker Koy Cauble

on the key to Albany winning the state championship

By Sam Waller

Just five days after the Albany Lions won the Class 2A Division II state championship in football, eight athletes moved to the basketball court for a late start to the next sports season.

With one short practice to get the team ready, Albany played its first basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 19, losing to Haskell 44-37 at home in the District with their District 10-2A opener for both teams.

By Donnie L. Lucas

The Albany community received an early Christmas present last week in the form of a state championship football title for Class 2A Div. 2, thanks to the Albany Lions.

While the honor was earned by the team and the coaching staff, it will be enjoyed by the entire community, joining two other such pinnacles  of sports excellence – the 1960 and 1961 state titles.

The slogan for the team this season was “Be Remembered.”

The Albany community embraced the team and their quest to make it all the way to the big game and bring home the gold.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions basketball team entered its final game before the holiday break still in search of their first District 10-2A win.

After dropping district games to Cisco and Hawley last week, the Lady Lions hosted Haskell on Tuesday, Dec. 20, losing 41-30. Details will be reported in the Jan. 5 edition of The Albany News.

“I feel like we’re at a standstill,” Lady Lions coach Tate Thompson said. “We’re still trying to find some roles for people and find a groove.”

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Connor Hail was named first-team punter on the Texas Six-Man Coaches Association All-Region IV Division II team.

Hail, a junior, averaged 26.1 yards on 16 attempts with a long kick of 47 yards. Six of his punts were downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

The team was selected by a vote of coaches from the region’s four districts with 11 schools represented. Loraine, which reached the state finals, had 10 selections, including Coach of the Year, Offensive MVP and Defensive MVP.

[This article was written by Albany High School Class of 1974 graduate Mike Parsons for the Albany News Homecoming section in 2019, and it is being reprinted this week in honor of Coach Denney Faith’s fifth trip to the state football championships and his title-winning season with the 2022 team. Although there are a few updates noted within the article, readers should keep in mind that it was written three years ago.]

By Mike Parsons

By Sam Waller

In 1991, Clint Chapman quarterbacked the Albany Lions, coached by Denney Faith, to their first appearance in a state championship game since 1961.

In 2022, Cole Chapman did his father one better, quarterbacking the Albany Lions, still coached by Denney Faith, to their first state title since 1961.