By Donnie A. Lucas

Over 50 players showed up for the first day of summer football practice on Monday, with a total of 54 expected when the full roster is back for the daily workouts to prepare for the 2019 season.

According to head football coach Denney Faith, numbers for the first day of practice were up by six or seven over last season and over 15 above the 2017 numbers.

The group will be led by an equally large senior class numbering 14, compared to the five seniors who helped guided the 2018 team to the state semifinals.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Workouts for the 2019 volleyball start Thursday (today), with only a couple of days of practice slated before the local squads hit the court for competition.

New head coach M.J. Reneau is expecting over 35 girls to play this season, providing the numbers to support three teams including a varsity and two JV groups.

“I think we will have 36 girls at this points, so that is plenty for three teams,” the coach said. “That will give the girls more playing opportunities.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Another football season will kick off on Monday with the start of the traditional summer workouts.

Albany’s coaching staff is expecting about 50 players to show up for the first day of practice, which will be an increase over last year’s numbers.

The first session is slated for 8:00 a.m. on Monday, with students needing to hand in the paperwork signed by parents that is required by the school and UIL. 

Equipment will be issued, followed by the first practice of the season for high school players.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Albany varsity and junior varsity football teams will be in full pads on Friday, Aug. 9 for team and individual photos to be taken at Robert Nail Stadium.

The Lions and their coaches will gather at 1:00 p.m. after the morning practice.

The photos will be used for publicity, as well as in the football program.

Players can also order individual photo packages.

Cheerleader and volleyball pictures have not yet been scheduled, but will probably be taken next week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

High school runners interested in participating in cross country track this fall are meeting Monday, Aug. 5 at 8:00 a.m. to organize for the season.

Anyone entering grades 9-12 is invited to the meeting in the lobby of the main gym.

Coach Tate Thompson will hand out the required forms for runners to have signed by a parent in order to participate.

Tate will set up a workout schedule for runners, as well as announce the meets that the squads will compete in this fall.

By Kathy Thomson

Students at Moran Independent School District will begin the 2019-20 school year at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26.

“Right now our enrollment is about 105,” said superintendent Danny Freeman. “We would like to be around 120, so we are hoping for 15 or so more transfers.”

The calendar includes 20 weeks that are four day/fifth day optional, and 16 traditional five-day weeks.

“We scheduled the optional fifth days around holidays or school breaks,” said Freeman. 

The first optional fifth day is Friday, Aug. 30.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local high school athletes participating in fall sports have just about a week of summer remaining with volleyball two-a-day practices starting next Thursday, Aug. 1, followed by football and cross country slated to begin Monday, Aug. 5.

The Lady Lion volleyball team will meet at 6:45 a.m. next Thursday to turn in required paperwork, then will start practice at 7:00 a.m.

The football and cross programs will meet for the first time at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5.

Volleyball Starts 

Thursday

By Melinda L. Lucas

The 2019 football program will be sent to the printers in the next couple of weeks, and everyone who still wants to help support the local high school and junior high athletes, encourage a student at the secondary school, and/or promote their business by placing an ad in the magazine-type program is asked to do so as soon as possible.

With a deadline of next Monday, July 29, the ad sales will be finalized at a meeting of the Albany Athletic Booster Club set for 6:00 p.m. that evening at the Feed Store. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

It is not too late for local girls to register and attend a high school volleyball team summer camp set to start Sunday, according to new head volleyball coach M.J. Reneau.

The three-day camp is open to students entering grades 9-12 who plan to participate in volleyball this season.

The coach said that over 30 prospective JV and varsity players have already signed up for the camp, but registration will remain open until the first session on Sunday, July 28 at 5:30 p.m. The cost of the camp is $40.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Summer workouts are scheduled to begin in just two weeks for fall sports such as volleyball, football and cross country, signaling that summer vacation time is quickly coming to a close.

The Lady Lion volleyball team will meet on Thursday, Aug. 1 for two-a-day workouts, while the football teams and cross country runners have to wait until Monday, Aug. 5 to begin.

Coaches for both volleyball and football are encouraged by the interest being shown by students for the upcoming seasons.

Volleyball Meets First