Cubs to open 2018 season this afternoon

The Albany Cubs will open the 2018 season at home this Thursday, Sept. 6, when they host the Dublin Cubs.

A total of 35 students are participating on the two teams, including 18 seventh graders and 17 eighth graders.

Unlike recent seasons, both teams should be able to play separate games throughout the season. Two years ago the Cubs had to be combined on one squad due to low numbers of players, while last season several Albany opponents only fielded one team.

Currently, coaches are searching for teams to line up against on Oct. 4, the week that the high school teams are open. Also, Baird is scheduled the following week on Oct. 11and is fielding just one squad.

“We are still looking for a pair of games for the open week, as well as another game for our seventh grade the week we play Baird,” seventh grade coach and athletic director Ryder Peacock said. “The rest of the schedule is filled up with two games each week, which is much better than last year.”

The coach said that more of the teams in Albany’s new football district are putting two junior high teams on the field rather than just one.

Peacock said this year’s seventh graders are the first group in a number of years to come into the program without having played 11-man youth football during grade school.

“The guys are doing well, but we are having to start fresh with them and teach them new skills,” he said. “They just don’t have the foundation that the previous groups had that played pee wee football instead of 7 on 7.”

Coach Richard Sullivan is coaching the eighth graders.

“Most of these guys have had good playing experience and are sports savvy,” he said. “They pick things up quickly.”

The junior high boys have started morning workouts at 6:55 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, except for holidays. The teams will also practice during their athletic period.

“We have moved practices to the mornings instead of after school so that kids have the chance to go to Lion Academy to get help with their academics if they need it,” said Peacock.

The Cubs will have individual and team photos made prior to the season opener this week. The seventh graders will meet at 3:45 p.m. at the stadium for pictures, with the eighth grade set to follow at 4:00 p.m.

Students will be given slips to take home to order photos.