“I think it was the offensive line and the run game, just being able to dominate up front, then the defense not giving Mart anything.”
– Lineman Wyatt Beard
on the key to Albany winning the state championship
“It was our defense. We had to corral their running game and make Mart throw it down the field where our safeties could come up with some interceptions and get all the turnovers we could.”
– Linebacker Koy Cauble
on the key to Albany winning the state championship
By Sam Waller
The fifth time proved to be the charm for Denney Faith and the Albany Lions.
Behind an overpowering rushing attack and a stingy defense, the Lions claimed the school’s third state championship, the first under Faith, Wednesday, Dec. 14 with a 41-21 victory over the Mart Panthers in the Class 2A Division II final at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.
By Sam Waller
The Moran Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs basketball teams had a shorter week than expected last week.
After playing a doubleheader at Trent on Tuesday, Dec. 6, Moran was forced to withdraw from the Lueders-Avoca tournament over the weekend as a wave of sickness afflicted both teams.
“There’s not much you can do about being sick,” Moran athletic director and girls coach John Hughes said. “We did get a little work on the floor, some fundamental things and technique things we needed to work on. We did that mainly on Thursday.”
By Sam Waller
Moran Independent School District will close for the holiday break following classes on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
The school district will conduct a staff development day on Monday, Jan. 9 before starting the spring semester on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Classes will be held that Friday, Jan. 13, the last scheduled Friday classes for the school year.
Moran schools will be busy right up to the break, principal Jo Hise said. Two end of course exams were administered this week, while students and staff prepared for holiday programs.
Breakfast With Santa
By Sam Waller
The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs hit the midway point of their season Monday, Dec. 12 by winning four of five games against Anson.
The games were the last of 2022 for the junior high teams, who now have a month off for the holiday break. Albany returns to action Thursday, Jan. 12, against Cisco with the boys teams at home and the girls teams on the road.
The Lady Cubs will host the Albany tournament Saturday, Jan. 14.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions have delayed the start of basketball season as long as possible, but they are finally turning their attention to the court.
Just six days after playing for a state championship in football, the Lions tip off their season Tuesday, Dec. 20, with their District 10-2A opener against Haskell at home.
Lions coach Ryder Peacock expects most of the varsity roster to be made up of athletes who were still playing football this week.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lady Lions split a pair of home games last week, beating Abilene TLCA and falling to Clyde, in their final outings before the start of district play.
The Lady Lions opened their District 10-2A schedule Tuesday, Dec. 13, with a 71-27 loss to Cisco. Details will be reported next week.
Albany makes its second district outing at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 at Hawley.
The third district game, which will be the final one before the holiday break, is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20 at home against Haskell.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions took a step that they’ve been waiting a year for, atoning for last season’s loss in the Class 2A Division II state semifinals, by beating New Home 53-25 on Thursday, Dec. 8 at Sweetwater’s Mustang Bowl.
The Lions turned in another dominating performance in atoning for 2021’s 35-14 loss to Stratford, scoring touchdowns on six of their first eight possessions.
By Sam Waller
The Moran Lady Bulldogs notched their second win of the season and the Bulldog boys recorded their first during a busy week, joining forces to host the Moran Holiday Tournament over the weekend.
The Moran teams resumed action Tuesday, Dec. 6 at Trent. Results will be reported next week. Both teams will take part in the Lueders-Avoca tournament Thursday-Friday, Dec. 8-9.
On Tuesday, Nov. 29, Moran played a doubleheader at Paint Rock. The Lady Bulldogs lost 42-15, while the Bulldogs hung tough before falling 55-42.
By Sam Waller
Moran placed fifth overall last week at the elementary and junior high district UIL academic meet held at Cross Plains.
Contests for writing and chess were conducted Wednesday, Nov. 9 on campus. Speaking events were contested Wednesday, Nov. 30, with other events held Thursday, Dec. 1.
Moran principal Jo Hise said Moran students competed well.
“We had a lot of individuals and several teams do well,” she said. “I’m really pleased with the results.”
