Fate of fall sports more certain after announcement
By Donnie A. Lucas
There is a lot more up in the air right now concerning high sports than footballs and volleyballs.
The fate of the fall sports seasons was in limbo awaiting an announcement from the University Scholastic League this week.
The UIL issued new guidelines for the 2020-2021 school year on Tuesday, with Class 1A-4A districts keeping the original schedule of how and when high school sports will be allowed to proceed due to concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Participation schedules for Class 5A-6A districts underwent some changes, with practices not starting until Sept. 7 and games pushed further back in the month.
But for Albany and all districts in Class 1A-4A, the original plan remains in place, with two-a-day practices to start Monday, Aug. 3, according to athletic director Ryder Peacock .
“They made the announcement on Tuesday, and right now, nothing has been changed for us,” he said. “Of course, it is possible that they will change their minds if the pandemic worsens, but we aren’t expecting that to happen.”
Several large districts in metropolitan areas have already announced that they are opening the school year online only for the first three to four weeks.
All local students in grades 7-12 planning to participate in football or volleyball in the fall should have received a letter, along with several permission forms that need to signed by parents. Anyone not receiving a letter should contact a member of the coaching staff or the school office.
Volleyball Info
The high school volleyball program will begin on Aug. 3 with a 7:00 a.m. meeting. All forms must be signed and returned prior to workouts.
Two-a-day practices are scheduled from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., and again at 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, Aug. 6.
The Lady Lions are scheduled to scrimmage in Clyde on Friday, Aug. 7, followed by scrimmages in Breckenridge on Saturday, Aug. 8.
Starting on Monday, Aug. 10, practices will be held at 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m., and in the afternoon from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
The season opener is set for Tuesday, Aug. 11 against Breckenridge starting at 4:30 p.m.
Coach M.J. Reneau said that the Lady Lions will keep the slogan “No Limits!” for this season.
Football Season
Head football coach Denney Faith is ready for summer workouts to get started on Aug. 3.
Players entering grades 9-12 will meet at 8:00 a.m. to hand in required forms that must be signed and returned before participating in a practice.
Morning workouts will continue through the week starting at 8:00 a.m.
The start times for the second week of workouts beginning on Aug. 10 will vary depending on teacher in-service days.
The Lions have a motto of “Chasing Greatness” for the season.
The current schedule has the Lions hosting Coleman in a scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 14, while traveling to Hawley for a second scrimmage on Thursday, Aug. 20.
The season opener is set for Aug. 28 with the Lions hosting Colorado City at 7:00 p.m.
District action will start Oct. 9 with the Lions hosting Meri-dian. Other district members include Hico, Ranger, Santo, and Cross Plains.
Physical Exams
The school was unable to offer free physical exams at the end of the last school year in May due to classes being cancelled because of the COVID-29 coronavirus pandemic.
Students who had a physical at the beginning of the 2019 school year will be able to continue to use that exam to participate.
However, all incoming seventh graders and anyone new to the district or who didn’t have a physical in 2019 will need to have a physical completed prior to the start of workouts.
Forms are available at the school, but students will have to get them completed at their own cost.
Junior high football workouts will not begin until the first day of classes on Aug. 19.
