By Donnie A. Lucas

The JV Lion football team lost its first game of the season last week in Tuscola, playing to a 34-19 loss to the Jim Ned JV.

The Lions will end the 2020 season on Thursday (today) at home against the Wylie sophomore team starting at 4:00 p.m.

“Jim Ned had a good team,” coach Rod Britting said. “We played them a hard-fought game with four turnovers. Ultimately, we made more mistakes than they did.”

The coach said that the Lions failed to stop the Indians on a couple of key third down situations.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lion basketball team traveled to Coleman on Saturday for a pair of scrimmages, winning both season warm-up games.

The Lady Lions will be on the road Friday, Nov. 6 for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off in Hermleigh to open the regular season.

“We were able to add this game earlier this week,” coach Tate Thompson said. “Our schedule will be a little fluid while volleyball playoffs are still going.”

The coach said that he was pleased with what he saw at Coleman during the scrimmages.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion varsity football team got a rough start in Santo last Thursday, allowing the Wildcats to go ahead by two touchdowns before rallying to earn a 34-14 victory in district play.

The Lions (7-1, 4-0) will face Cross Plains in the regular season finale that will determine the District 6-2A title and playoff berths.

The visiting Buffaloes are also sporting a 7-1 overall record and are 3-0 in district by virtue of a forfeit by Ranger last week.

Cross Plains will still have a make-up game to play against Meridian next week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The varsity Lady Lions volleyball team ended the regular season last Saturday with a win over Rising Star, and the girls are now preparing for the Class 2A playoffs.

Albany will play a rematch against Miles in the area playoff  round on Monday, Nov. 2 at Jim Ned High School in Tuscola. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The combined seventh and eighth grade Cubs hosted their final home game last week, sending Santo’s junior high home with a 33-6 loss.

The Cubs will combine again this week for the last game of the season in Cross Plains. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. on Thursday.

The Cubs scored early with a 45-yard run by Ashton Bailey, who then kicked the PAT to put Albany ahead 7-0.

Branson Beal scored next on a 24-yard keeper for a touchdown, followed by another kick by Bailey for a 14-0 lead.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lion basketball team will start the season on Saturday in Coleman with scrimmages against the Lady Bluecats and Veribest.

The action will start at 9:00 a.m. against Coleman, followed by a 10:00 a.m. tip-off for the scrimmage with Veribest.

Another scrimmage is set for Monday, Nov. 2 in Cross Plains at 4:00 p.m.

Currently, the first game on the schedule is against Huckabay on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2:00 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The JV Lion football team will play in Tuscola Thursday (today) against the Jim Ned JV with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

The JV was originally without a game this week since Cross Plains isn’t fielding a JV team, but the substitute game was arranged by coaches several days ago.

Fans will have to purchase tickets in advance at the Jim Ned website: jimned.esc14.net. Use the “tickets” in the main menu bar and chose the JV game to purchase online. All tickets are $5 each.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Four Albany cross country runners are scheduled to compete in the district meet today in Anson.

Originally set for Wednesday, the meet was moved to Thursday (today) because of the weather, and will still be run at the Anson Golf Course. 

The varsity girls division is set to start at 10:30 a.m.

The Albany girls improved their times last week at the Munday meet, just in time for the district meet.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Lion football team picked up its fourth straight shutout last Friday, entertaining the 2020 homecoming crowd with a 61-0 win over the visiting Ranger Bulldogs.

The Lions are now 6-1 overall, including a 3-0 mark in the District 8-2A  Div. II race.

Albany will be on the road this week for a Thursday evening game in Santo against the Wildcats starting at 7:00 p.m.