By Donnie A. Lucas For just the second time in 11 years, the Lions lost a home game at Robert Nail Stadium, falling Friday to the Colorado City Wolves in the season opener for both teams.

The varsity girls volleyball team ended the pre-district portion of their schedule this week, preparing for the opening of District 6-2A in Strawn on Saturday. Albany will travel to Strawn for an 11:00 a.m. game for the varsity squad. Strawn does not have a JV team.

The Albany Cubs will open the 2018 season at home this Thursday, Sept. 6, when they host the Dublin Cubs. A total of 35 students are participating on the two teams, including 18 seventh graders and 17 eighth graders.

The team of Barton and Hughes won the Championship Flight at the annual Albany Labor Day Golf Tournament with a two day total of 124 strokes, followed by Mitchell and Holson in second with 130, and Echols and Echols with a score of 136 for third place.

The Moran Bulldogs will begin regular season Friday, Sept. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Rising Star, one week later than originally planned, after Benjamin was unable to field a team and had to cancel their Aug. 31 game.

The Lion football team was put to the test last Thursday during a scrimmage in Anson, with the varsity’s first team coming up short against the Tigers. The varsity will open the regular season at home Friday, hosting the Colorado City Wolves at Robert Nail Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Lady Lion volleyball team won both games during pool play at the Dublin Tournament last week, earning a spot in the championship bracket only to face a pair of powerhouses on Saturday. Albany hosted Clyde on Tuesday, falling in three games to the Class 3A Lady Bulldogs 15-25, 20-25, 18-25.

Albany runners will compete in the first cross country meet of the season next Tuesday, Sept. 4 in Eula. Both the junior high and high school runners will attend the meet, which starts at 4:00 p.m.

Season tickets are now on sale at the Albany High School principal’s office for the 2018 football season, featuring stadium seating at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium. The Lions are hosting five home varsity games this year.

Freshman Kam Browning hits the ball back over the net in JV girls action against Clyde on Tuesday. Both sub-varsity teams won their games against the Lady Bulldogs. The JV will play in Clyde this weekend while the varsity rests, then everyone will be back in action against Bangs next Tuesday.