By Kathy Thomson
The Moran Bulldogs finished preseason scrimmages last Friday in Gustine, started this week by greeting children arriving at the Moran campus for the first day of school on Monday, and are scheduled to open the 2019 football season in Benjamin tomorrow, Aug. 30 with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Head football coach Denney Faith thinks each and every game is important, especially season openers.
But the Lions’ first regular season outing promises special significance both for Faith and the Lions.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The varsity Lady Lions won a five-game battle against Eastland early last week, along with picking up the consolation trophy at the Dublin Tournament over the weekend.
Albany traveled to Clyde on for a rematch with the Lady Bulldogs, coming up short 14-25, 8-25, 20-25.
The varsity will be open this weekend, resuming pre-district action Tuesday, Sept. 3 when they host Bangs in a full set of games starting at 4:30 p.m.
Varsity Beats Eastland in 5
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany runners will compete in the first cross country meet of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 3 in Eula.
Several junior high and high school runners will participate in the event, starting with the seventh grade girls at 4:00 p.m. and the eighth grade girls at 4:20 p.m. The junior high boys will take their place at the starting line at 4:40 p.m., followed by the varsity boys at 5:50 p.m.
There are not any local high school girls attending the meet due to conflicts with volleyball games.
Season tickets are now on sale at the Albany High School principal’s office for the 2019 football season, featuring stadium seating at Nail Stadium.
The Lions are hosting six home varsity games this year, starting with a Sept. 6 non-district matchup against Dublin.
Because there are six home games this year, reserved season tickets cost $30 ($5 per game) for adults and $12 for students, according to ticket coordinator Ann Riley.
The seats are not discounted from the regular gate price, but ensure Lion fans of reserved seating at varsity games.
A couple of special projects are in the works to honor Albany football coach Denney Faith, including the dedication of “Faith Field” at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6 prior to the first varsity home game.
More details will be available next week.
In preparation for Faith’s 300th win as head coach for the Albany Lions, members of the Athletic Booster Club are working to put together a video of well wishes and congratulations from past players, coaches, and fans.
Videos should be emailed as soon as possible to khill@albany.esc14.net.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The 2019 Lion football team got the first taste of “live” action during a scrimmage last Friday in Coleman.
Albany will host the Anson Tigers for a second and final scrimmage on Thursday (today) starting at 6:00 p.m. with the junior varsity. The varsity squad will follow at about 6:45 p.m.
There will not be an official gate price for the local scrimmage, but fans will be asked to help support the Texas High School Coaches Association’s “Our Day to Shine” benevolence fundraiser by donating at the gate.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The varsity girls volleyball team took two area opponents to four sets last week, coming up short in two close matches against Jim Ned and Abilene Christian High School.
Albany faced another tough opponent at home on Tuesday, posting a hard-fought 23-25, 24-26, 25-13, 25-21, 15-9 win over Eastland. Details from the match were not available at press time but will be published next week.
The varsity will be on the road Thursday to play in the Dublin Tournament, with bracket play starting Saturday.
By Kathy Thomson
The Moran football team traveled to Baird for the first scrimmage of the year last Friday, Aug. 16, and new head coach John Hughes had his first chance to see the Bulldogs matched up against players from other schools.
The scrimmage was a four-way event between Moran, Baird, Water Valley, and Abilene Christian.
“Overall, the guys did well for the first scrimmage,” said Hughes. “There were some mistakes, which is expected, but I was extremely pleased with how we performed.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lady Lions won four out of five games in the Albany Summer Slam Tournament last week to capture the consolation trophy in the Gold Bracket.
The regular season opened last Tuesday with a loss at Jim Ned, followed by dropping a rematch against the Lady Indians this week in Albany.
The Lady Lions fell to Jim Ned the second time in a hard-fought four-set matchup 21-25, 17-25, 26-24, 20-25. Complete game results were not available at press time but will be reported next week.
