By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Lady Cubs split their final home matches of the season Monday, Sept. 26 against Abilene Christian with the eighth grade winning 25-19, 25-21, while the seventh grade lost in three sets 14-25, 25-19, 9-15.

The Lady Cubs play their last four matches on the road, starting Monday, Oct. 3 at Hawley.

Seventh Grade

The seventh grade Lady Cubs (2-6) came back to extend the match, but they were unable to maintain the momentum in the third set after taking an early lead.

By Sam Waller

Two late interception returns for touchdowns were the difference for the Albany Lions junior varsity football team on Thursday, Sept. 22, in a 20-6 loss at Comanche.

While the rest of the Lions teams take an open date this week, the JV ­Lions (2-2) will play at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 at Hawley. The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 15 but cancelled so JV players could suit up for that week’s varsity game.

At Comanche, the Lions were tied 6-6 with three minutes left before the Indians scored on two returns.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions and Lady Lions cross country runners battled the heat as well as the competition Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the Hamlin meet.

Albany runners competed in the Rotan meet Wednesday, Sept. 28. Results will be reported next week.

At Hamlin, Albany had five runners in a field of 45 in the varsity boys race, two of 58 runners in the varsity girls race, and four of 25 JV girls entries.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions volleyball team continued its hot streak with a pair of road victories last week, including a sweep of Bangs to open District 6-2A play.

The Lady Lions (17-7 overall, 1-0 district) had an open date on Tuesday, Sept. 27. The spikers will resume play Saturday, Oct. 1, with their second district match against Coleman at home.

Coach M.J. Reneau said the team is hitting its stride at the right time, having won seven in a row.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions couldn’t make a fast start hold up as they concluded nondistrict play Friday, Sept. 23 with a 31-28 loss to the Comanche Indians at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The Lions (3-2) have their open date this week before opening District 6-2A Division II play Friday, Oct. 7 at Miles.

Albany dropped to No. 9 in the Class 2A Division II state rankings with its second consecutive loss, the first back-to-back losses for the Lions since 2019.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs volleyball team dropped its only match of last week at Ranger.

The Lady Bulldogs return to action Saturday, Sept. 24 at Garner.

Moran lost 17-25, 19-25, 13-25 on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at Ranger.

Lady Bulldogs coach Jo Hise said the match originally scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 20 against Three Way will not be made up.

“That’s turning out to be a good thing,” Hise said. “I’ve got a bunch of girls sick with allergies and everything else.”

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs made significant strides in their homecoming game last week before succumbing to the Mullin Bulldogs 58-44 Friday, Sept. 16.

Moran players (0-4) look to continue building momentum at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 when they visit Blanket.

Against Mullin, Connor Hail helped keep Moran in contention with 275 rushing yards and five total touchdowns. He also converted on four PAT kicks.

“The progress was unreal,” Moran coach John Hughes said. “We made a complete 180 from what we looked like the previous three games.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Lady Cubs volleyball teams wrapped up their busiest week of the season Monday, Sept. 19 by  sweeping home matches against Ranger.

The Lady Cubs return to action Monday, Sept. 26 when they host Abilene Christian. The seventh grade match will start at 5:00 p.m. with the eighth grade to start at 6:00 p.m.

Since Tuesday, Sept. 13, the seventh grade team has played four matches and the eighth grade five. Both teams competed in the Hawley tournament on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Seventh Grade

By Sam Waller

Two Albany runners medaled, and a third just missed out Wednesday, Sept. 14 at the Hawley cross country meet as the season reached the midway point.

The Lions and Lady ­Lions began the stretch drive toward the district meet Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the Hamlin meet. Results will be reported next week. Albany will have two more meets – Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Rotan and Thursday, Oct. 6 at Anson – before the District 10-2A meet on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at Anson.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs football teams swept their games Thursday, Sept. 15 at Hawley with the seventh grade winning 28-0 and the eighth grade winning 38-32.

The junior high teams return to the road Thursday, Sept. 22 at Comanche. The seventh grade will kick off at 4:30 p.m. with eighth grade and JV to follow.

Last week’s JV game was cancelled.

Seventh Grade

The seventh grade Cubs recorded their second shutout in a row to improve to 3-0.