By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion football team is having to wait another week to attempt to hit the 700-win mark for the program after a surprising 66-20 loss last Friday in Hamlin that broke both a district winning streak and district championship run.

Albany (7-3, 3-1) now advances into the playoffs as the second seed from District 7-2A to face the Miles Bulldogs (7-3, 2-2) on Thursday (tonight) at Brownwood’s Gordon Wood Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students, with the usual passes accepted.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Despite jumping out with a win in the first game, the Lady Lion volleyball team came up short in the area playoff against Miles on Saturday in Eastland.

Albany won the first game 25-14, but then dropped the next three 25-21, 25-16, 25-13, to end the season with an overall record of 21-13.

“The girls showed up ready for Miles,” head volleyball coach M.J. Reneau said. “We started out strong, attacking from every position.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Cubs and Lady Cubs will start the basketball season during the next week, with a couple of squads playing in the Woodson Tournament on Saturday.

The combined boys B team is supposed to play on Saturday in the tournament, along with the seventh grade girls.

The eighth grade girls and both the seventh and eighth grade boys teams will host Cross Plains on Thursday, Nov. 21 starting at 5:30 p.m.

The seventh grade girls are coached by Dakota Fowler this season, while the eighth grade is under Jamie Wilson.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany seventh and eighth grade Cubs ended the season last Thursday with a pair of victories.

The eighth grade team defeated Hamlin’s combined junior high squad 38-15, while the seventh graders shut out Haskell 44-0.

The eighth graders took their opening drive downfield, with Lanxton Viertel capping the series with a 10-yard scoring run. Quarterback Lute Wheeler connected with Cason Fairchild for the two-point play.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The JV Lions finished the football season undefeated with a perfect 10-0 record after shutting out Hamlin last Thursday, 36-0.

Samuel Rosas opened the scoring for the Lions with a 20-yard touchdown run, followed by the two-point run by Caden Price.

London Fuentes capped the next series with a five-yard touchdown reception from Cole Chapman. Barrett Beal caught the two-point pass from Chapman to give the Lions a 16-0 lead.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Due to the football playoffs, the Lion basketball team will be working short-handed for the time being, opening the season with the JV team at the Woodson Tournament Nov. 22-23.

The boys were scheduled to open the season against Bangs next Tuesday, but Bangs cancelled the game, according to head boys basketball coach Ryder Peacock.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lion basketball team scrimmaged Graham last Tuesday in preparation for the 2019 season that opened Tuesday for the JV and will start on Saturday for the varsity.

The JV traveled to Graham on Tuesday for their opener, while the varsity will also be on the road to Newcastle this Saturday for an 1:00 p.m. tipoff.

The varsity girls are on the schedule to play at home next Tuesday, Nov. 19, hosting the Abilene Hawks starting at 5:00 p.m. The JV girls will play in the Woodson Tournament starting Friday, Nov. 22.

By Kathy Thomson

The Moran football season ended with a 57-12 win in Trent last Friday, Nov. 8.

“We went out on a good note,” said head coach John Hughes. “The guys have come a long way since the beginning of the season, and I am proud of them.”

The coach was pleased that seniors Jonas Sotelo and Harley Schafer finished with a victory. 

By Kathy Thomson

The junior high Bulldog football team closed out the 2019 season with a 50-0 win over the Gorillas in Trent on Friday, Nov. 8.

The middle school boys ended with a 4-3 season record, and were 2-1 in district with a loss to Blackwell on Oct. 25, and victories over Loraine on Nov. 1 and Trent last Friday.

“Everyone played really well, and I am proud of them all,” said coach Matthew Hise. “I really hate seeing the football season end, but I am looking forward to basketball season with these young men.”

Junior High Game

By Donnie A. Lucas

Scrimmage action for the Lady Lions basketball team started this week, with the regular season set to start next week, pitting the JV girls against Graham on Nov. 12 and the varsity against Newcastle Nov. 16.

On the boys side, action will be limited due to the football playoffs, but a team combined with some JV and a few varsity players will open the season at the Woodson Tournament scheduled to start Nov. 22.