The Albany Junior High Cubs football teams will play different opponents in different locations Thursday (today).

The eighth grade team (7-0) will join the junior varsity for a doubleheader at Santo. The eighth grade game will start at 5:00 p.m.

The seventh grade Cubs (5-1) will play at Eastland at 5:30 p.m. in a game that was added to the schedule on Monday.

Both teams, along with the rest of Albany’s football players, were off last week during a break in the schedule.

By Sam Waller

The foursome of James Waters, Randy Walker, Rodney Barton, and Charles Barrett took a one-stroke victory in the 9th annual Albany Masonic Lodge Scholarship Golf Tournament Oct. 23, shooting a 12-under round of 59 in a competitive field of 32 players at the Albany Golf Course.

The four-person scramble benefits the Albany Masonic Wisdom Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, which awards college scholarships to Albany High School graduates each year.

Mason Randall Palmore said the event easily met its fundraising goal.

By Sam Waller

Tom Dibbern has transferred the success he enjoyed as an Albany athlete into a stellar coaching career in the college ranks.

A 1996 Albany graduate, Dibbern is in his sixth year as head track and field coach for the Angelo State men’s and women’s teams.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High volleyball teams split a pair of matches against Hawley Oct. 18 with the seventh grade Lady Cubs wrapping up their season.

The eighth graders played their final match on Tuesday against Strawn. Results will be reported next week.

Against Hawley, the eighth grade won 26-24, 25-21 to improve to 9-2 overall and remain undefeated in district.

By Sam Waller

After a week off, the Albany Lions face their biggest test of the season Friday when the Santo Wildcats visit Robert Nail Memorial Stadium in a showdown for first place in District 8-2A Division II.

Kickoff is 7:00 p.m.

Albany (7-0 overall, 2-0 district) and Santo (8-0, 2-0) share the district lead after the Wildcats defeated Hico 34-14 last week.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Jonathan Coody finished 60th in a field of 111 runners Monday at the Region II-2A cross country meet at Grand Prairie.

Coody, a freshman, covered the course at Lynn Creek Park in 21 minutes, 2.93 seconds. The time was about 47 seconds off what he ran at the District 10-2A meet on Oct. 13, but Albany coach Tate Thompson said the regional course was slightly longer.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions made the most of a home court advantage last week, clinching the District 6-2A volleyball championship  on Oct. 19 by sweeping Hawley for the second time this season. They then began preparing for the playoffs by beating Hico on Saturday.

“We are excited to be district champions,” Lady Lions coach M.J. Reneau said. “Now we are looking forward to our playoff run.”

By Sam Waller

Moran’s football playoff hopes took a hit last Friday with a 60-14 loss at Woodson.

Moran (1-5 overall, 1-1 District 9-1A Division II) fell behind 26-0 in the first quarter, but played closer over the next two. Woodson (3-3, 1-0) ended the game with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

“The whole difference was the first quarter,” Bulldogs coach John Hughes said. “They put 26 on us because we had four busted assignments they got touchdowns off of.”

Ellis Hise was 6 of 14 passing for 112 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs volleyball team kept its playoff hopes alive Saturday with a four-set victory over Rising Star.

Entering their Tuesday match at Strawn, the Lady Bulldogs were tied with Newcastle for third place among District 6-2A’s Class 1A members at 4-4. The top three teams qualify for the playoffs.

Moran started last week with a three-set loss to Hawley on Oct. 12, a match that didn’t count in the district standings because Hawley is on the 2A side of the district.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High eighth grade Lady Cubs defeated Newcastle 25-14, 25-12 on Oct. 12 in last week’s only junior high volleyball match.

The Lady Cubs seventh and eighth grade teams played Hawley on Monday. Results were not available at press time and will be reported next week.

Against Newcastle, the opening set went back and forth and was tied at 10-10 when Caroline Chapman served 10 consecutive points to help Albany take a 20-10 lead.