“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
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
The Albany Lions entered the 2022 football season ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 2A Division II.
Despite some bumps along the way, they lived up to that lofty billing with their 41-21 victory over the Mart Panthers on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.
Four previous trips to the championship game under head coach Denney Faith ended in losses. Faith said the difference between state champ and state runner-up is often minimal.
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.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions dominated the District 6-2A Division II race on their way to winning a state championship.
They were rewarded for the efforts with 29 selections on the all-district team, selected by vote of the district coaches after the district schedule ended several weeks ago, but the team was not announced until after the Lions defeated Mart 41-21 on Wednesday, Dec. 14, in the Class 2A Division II state championship game.
[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
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.
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 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
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.
