Fans make plans for semifinal game
The Albany Lions defeated Hamlin 41-28 in the quarterfinals last week, and the Albany Athletic Booster Club invites local fans to continue showing their belief in the 2018 Lion varsity football team by joining the community send-off this Thursday morning, Dec. 13, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bank Park.
The Lions are headed for Plainview to battle the Gruver Greyhounds in the semifinals of the UIL 2-A division II football playoffs. The game kicks off at Greg Sherwood Field at 6:00 p.m., and the winner of the bout will advance to the state finals.
The community pep rally took place on Wednesday and was followed by the traditional all-night beating of the playoff drum by volunteers.
Where to Go
Albany will sit on the visitors side of the 8,000 seat Plainview High School Stadium located at W. 24th St. at Yonkers St. in Plainview.
Tickets are priced at $5 for adults and $3 for students. District and senior passes will be accepted.
A norther is forecast to blast across the Llano Estacado on Thursday, and along with strong north winds and colder temperatures, rain is a possibility. Although chances of precipitation are very low by game time, temperatures are expected to be in the mid 30s at 6:00 p.m. and fall throughout the night.
The drive to Plainview takes almost 3.5 hours.
Those traveling Hwy. 83 should be aware that construction has traffic reduced to one lane both in Hamlin and also for several miles south of Guthrie.
Game Details
The Lions will take on Gruver in the semifinals, with the winner advancing to the state finals at AT&T Stadium in Arlington next Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. to face the winner of the Mart/Falls City game held in Georgetown at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13.
The 13-1 Greyhounds won District 3, and their only defeat this year was a 34-29 loss to West Texas on Sept. 14.
Thursday Send-off
The send-off will be downtown at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, and everyone in the community is encouraged to attend and bring signs and noisemakers as the football bus rolls down Main Street.
First National Bank is sponsoring a fan bus, and all of the $25 spots on the 56-passenger bus quickly sold out. The bus is scheduled to leave from the Albany Depot at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday.
School will be released on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 1:00 p.m. for the football game. Bus routes will run at 1:00 p.m.
The secondary campus will not have an eighth period this Thursday. A schedule for class times will be posted, but was not available at press time.
Albany schools will hold classes at normal Friday schedule times on Friday, Dec. 14.
