Football workouts to get underway Monday

By Donnie A. Lucas

After weeks of uncertainty, Albany Lion football is on track for a fairly normal beginning to the 2020 season with the start of summer workouts on Monday, Aug. 3.

“There will be a few adjustments,” head coach Denney Faith said. “Everyone will have to wear masks when they aren’t actively engaged in workouts. We will be making every effort to make sure we stay as safe as possible, including disinfecting equipment and indoor spaces.”

Faith said that he is expecting about 50 players in grades 9-12 to show up Monday.

“We lost a big, quality group of seniors, so we will have some holes to fill,” he said. “But we have a good group moving up to do that.”

The coach said that morale is good due to the prospect of starting on Monday following a summer filled with speculation and doubt because of the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

The University Interscholastic League announced last week that Class 1A through 4A schools will be allowed to start as scheduled, while 5A and 6A workouts have been postponed until September.

“The guys are excited about the season and getting things back to normal as quickly as possible,” Faith said. “It is going to be a different kind of year with the protocol requirements due to the virus, but I know these guys will be ready to compete no matter the situation.”

The first session is slated for 8:00 a.m. on Monday, with each player turning in paperwork signed by a parent that is required by the school and UIL.

Equipment will also be issued, followed by the first practice for the high school players.

Morning practices will continue through the week starting at 8:00 a.m. Practice times starting the week of Aug. 10 may vary due to teacher in-service.

Faith stressed that each player must have the medical record portion of the physical exam form completed when they arrive on Monday.

“Everyone will have to turn in the medical record form and if they answered ‘yes’ to any of the first six questions, they will have to get a complete physical before they can work out,” the coach said. “That form will have to be printed from the school website or from the booster club’s Facebook page. Players can also contact us at the school if they need to get one.”

Faith added that most players are able to use last year’s physical exam if they participated in 2019, but anyone new to the program or who answered one of the conditions covered in the first six questions of the medical history will need a new physical.

Physical exams will be provided on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Action Sports in Abilene, but a reservation has to be made by contacting coach Ryder Peacock. Both local clinics will also will conduct a physical exam, but a fee is charged and an appointment required.

Albany will compete in a new district this season that includes Meridian, Hico, Ranger, Santo and Cross Plains.

The first scrimmage on the schedule has been cancelled due to a change by UIL for first contest dates, including scrimmages.

Albany will scrimmage in Hawley on Thursday, Aug. 20 as scheduled. The season opener is in Albany on Friday, Aug. 28 against Colorado City. All games this season are set for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.

Individual and team pictures to be used in the program and the newspaper have been set for Friday, Aug. 7 at 1:30 p.m.

Junior high players will not start practice until the first day of classes on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Fans need to be aware that as of now, the football stadium will be restricted to 50 percent occupancy, and social distancing requirements will likely still be in place.