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Lion numbers up for 2018 season

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Numbers were up for the first day of summer football workouts on Monday, with 45 players donning shorts, shirts, and helmets as the Albany -Lions prepare for the 2018 season.

According to head coach Denney Faith, numbers on the first day of two-a-days are up by about 10 from the last two seasons, with the largest group in the last four or five seasons turning out.

“Even though we have a small senior class, we have the biggest group of kids we have had in several years,” Faith said. “We are really pleased with everyone’s attitude. They all seem very excited to get this season underway.”

The Lions are building on a long tradition of district championships and deep playoffs runs, with 10 straight district titles. Albany advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs last season, losing to eventual state champion Muenster in the quarterfinals.

The team is once again picked to win the district and go far in the playoffs.

“Being ranked well raises expectations and we like that,” Faith said. “But we have a long way to go before we can make any predictions about our chances this season. It’s nice to be recognized, but the kids have a lot of work to do to live up to the hype.”

The coach said that the potential for another stellar season is certainly there.

“One of our strengths this season will be the number of kids returning on our offensive line,” he said. “We should actually be a little ahead in that department.”

He added that the Lions have talent at the skilled positions, but the coaching staff will be looking for depth.

“We have a lot of younger kids who we are going to need to step up and fill in when and where they are needed,” he said. “But that is what scrimmages are for – to find those kids who can get things done.”

There are only seven seniors on the squad this season.

“They are a small group, but we know they are going to provide the leadership that it is going to bring all the younger players along,” Faith said. “We won’t have as many experienced players as in the past, but the talent and the quality is there.”

The coach said that Monday was a typical first day of summer workouts.

“We had some kids come in already in good shape and -others were really struggling,” he said. “We will be moving a lot of kids around to new positions and have few kids that are new to our program who will have to learn our system.”

Workouts will continue to be held in the morning at 8:00 a.m. this week, moving to the afternoon on Monday due to teacher meetings. Faith wasn’t sure when practice would be set on teacher workdays next Tuesday and Wednesday, but practices will shift to the afternoons starting Thursday, Aug. 16 with the first day of classes.

The Lions will get their first taste of action hosting Coleman in a scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 17. The JV team will start playing at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity following.

Albany will travel to Anson on Thursday, Aug. 23 for a second scrimmage starting at 6:30 p.m.

The season opener will be at Robert Nail Stadium on Friday, Aug. 31 against Colorado City. Kickoff for the game is at 7:30 p.m.

The football teams will be presented at the annual ice cream supper hosted by the Athletic Booster Club on Monday, Aug. 13 at the Bank Park.

Team and individual pictures of the players are set for Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the football stadium.