By Donnie A. Lucas

For just the second time in 11 years, the Lions lost a home game at Robert Nail Stadium, falling Friday to the Colorado City Wolves in the season opener for both teams.

The visiting Wolves posted a 32-13 win over the Lions with the help of four Albany turnovers, but coach Denney Faith said he saw bright spots in the game and reminded his team that there is still a long season that lies ahead.

“You never want to start a season with a loss, but we saw some good things,” Faith said.

The varsity girls volleyball team ended the pre-district portion of their schedule this week, preparing for the opening of District 6-2A in Strawn on Saturday.

Albany will travel to Strawn for an 11:00 a.m. game for the varsity squad. Strawn does not have a JV team.

The Lady Lions will be back at home on Tuesday, Sept. 11 to host Newcastle in a pair of bouts starting at 5:00 p.m.

The Albany Cubs will open the 2018 season at home this Thursday, Sept. 6, when they host the Dublin Cubs.

A total of 35 students are participating on the two teams, including 18 seventh graders and 17 eighth graders.

Unlike recent seasons, both teams should be able to play separate games throughout the season. Two years ago the Cubs had to be combined on one squad due to low numbers of players, while last season several Albany opponents only fielded one team.

The team of Barton and Hughes won the Championship Flight at the annual Albany Labor Day Golf Tournament with a two day total of 124 strokes, followed by Mitchell and Holson in second with 130, and Echols and Echols with a score of 136 for third place.

Sixty-eight players, grouped into 34 teams of two players each, ended up competing in the tournament after six of the 40 teams originally registered for the event had to cancel due to various last minute conflicts. 

Scores from Saturday’s rounds were used to divide the teams into four flights on Sunday.

The Moran Bulldogs will begin regular season Friday, Sept. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Rising Star, one week later than originally planned, after Benjamin was unable to field a team and had to cancel their Aug. 31 game.

Tomorrow’s game will be the first time new head coach Harley Ethridge will see his players in true game conditions. 

“Scrimmages have been productive,” Ethridge said. “My main challenge is to find kids who have little experience and get them ready for varsity play. I am pleased with their eagerness and attitudes.”

The Lion football team was put to the test last Thursday during a scrimmage in Anson, with the varsity’s first team coming up short against the Tigers.

The varsity will open the regular season at home Friday, hosting the Colorado City Wolves at Robert Nail Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. The visitors are moving up to Class 3A Div. II this year and typically provide a competitive start to the season.

The Lady Lion volleyball team won both games during pool play at the Dublin Tournament last week, earning a spot in the championship bracket only to face a pair of powerhouses on Saturday.

Albany hosted Clyde on Tuesday, falling in three games to the Class 3A Lady Bulldogs 15-25, 20-25, 18-25. 

The local girls are sitting at 4-8 for the season.

Albany runners will compete in the first cross country meet of the season next Tuesday, Sept. 4 in Eula.

Both the junior high and high school runners will attend the meet, which starts at 4:00 p.m.

Coach Tate Thompson reported a total of 13 junior high runners will participate, along with four high school athletes.

The high school team has been working out since Aug. 1, while the junior high students started on the first day of school, Aug. 16.

Season tickets are now on sale at the Albany High School principal’s office for the 2018 football season, featuring stadium seating at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The Lions are hosting five home varsity games this year. The season opener against Colorado City is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Aug. 31, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

Freshman Kam Browning hits the ball back over the net in JV girls action against Clyde on Tuesday. Both sub-varsity teams won their games against the Lady Bulldogs. The JV will play in Clyde this weekend while the varsity rests, then everyone will be back in action against Bangs next Tuesday.