The Albany Lady Lions hosted Class 4A Snyder on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and despite falling in four sets, head coach MJ Reneau said the match offered valuable experience for her team as they prepare for district play.

“I’m taking nothing but positivity away from tonight,” Reneau said. “Snyder challenged us in areas we haven’t been challenged yet—fast middle hits, tough serves. We were missing one of our starters due to illness, and some of our JV girls stepped up and did a tremendous job.”

It had been 626 days since Adam Hill last played in a football game—his final snap for Albany coming in the 2023 state championship at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2023. A monumental piece of the Lions’ back-to-back title runs in 2022 and 2023, Hill helped lead Albany to consecutive state championships with his toughness, versatility, and relentless work ethic. On Saturday, he finally returned to the field, suiting up for his first college game with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in their season opener against Arkansas–Pine Bluff.

The Albany Lions opened their 2025 football season with a 21-7 home victory over longtime rival Stamford on Friday, August 29, in front of a large crowd at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The game was tight through three quarters, with the Lions and Bulldogs tied at 7 entering the fourth. But Albany’s defense set the tone early and never let up. The Lions held Stamford to under 20 yards of total offense in the first half and only 155 yards for the entire game.

The Albany Lady Lions wrapped up tournament season by hosting their annual varsity volleyball tournament August 28–30. The event featured 12 teams from across Class 1A to Class 4A, bringing strong competition to Albany for three full days of play.

Varsity pool play took place Thursday, with Albany competing in a three-team bracket alongside Comanche and Rotan. The Lady Lions fell in both matches, with early errors proving costly.

The annual Labor Day Tournament at Albany Golf Club brought 26 teams to the course on Saturday and Sunday, August 30–31. Play went smoothly on the opening day, but severe weather on Sunday morning forced officials to shorten rounds for two flights before conditions improved for the afternoon groups.

Saturday’s first round featured clear skies and steady play across all flights. After finishing their rounds, players and guests gathered in the clubhouse for a meal and raffle prizes, a long-standing tradition of the event.

Young girls who participated in Albany’s summer cheer camp had the chance to take the field Friday night during halftime of the Lions’ varsity football game against Stamford.

Wearing red and white and led by Albany junior high and high school cheerleaders, the group performed a routine that included cheers, chants, and a dance they learned during the annual camp held earlier this summer. The performance marked the first time the campers were featured during halftime of a varsity game at Faith Field.

The Albany Lions wrapped up their final tune-up last Thursday in Early and now turn their attention to the season opener this Friday night at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium, where they will host rival Stamford.

Head coach Denney Faith said he was pleased with the way his defense performed in the scrimmage, which featured three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and limited the Longhorns to only one significant play.

The Albany Lady Lions had a full schedule this past week, starting with tournament play in Eastland before facing Abilene Christian on Tuesday and now turning their focus to hosting their own tournament at home.

Eastland Tournament

The Lady Lions competed in the Eastland tournament on Aug. 21 and 23, with the JV squad playing on the 22nd. Albany finished first in pool play, defeating Aspermont and Strawn. They then advanced through bracket play with a strong showing before meeting host Eastland.

Parents and supporters of the Albany Athletic Booster Club gathered at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium on Saturday morning to give the front entrance a much-needed facelift ahead of football season.

Albany Golf Club has begun replacing three of its greens after a winter fungus severely damaged the turf. Crews recently tore out the affected areas, and new sod is now being installed, Club President Ronnie Anderson said. “We hope to start playing on them in about four to six weeks,” Anderson said.

Anderson explained the problem developed as the course came out of dormancy in the spring. “Fungus got them this winter,” he said. “And by the time you notice it, the grass where it hit is already dead.” Despite treatments, the three greens were too far gone to recover, he said.