By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions dominated the District 6-2A Division II race on their way to winning a state championship.
They were rewarded for the efforts with 29 selections on the all-district team, selected by vote of the district coaches after the district schedule ended several weeks ago, but the team was not announced until after the Lions defeated Mart 41-21 on Wednesday, Dec. 14, in the Class 2A Division II state championship game.
By Sam Waller
In 1991, Clint Chapman quarterbacked the Albany Lions, coached by Denney Faith, to their first appearance in a state championship game since 1961.
In 2022, Cole Chapman did his father one better, quarterbacking the Albany Lions, still coached by Denney Faith, to their first state title since 1961.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions entered the 2022 football season ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 2A Division II.
Despite some bumps along the way, they lived up to that lofty billing with their 41-21 victory over the Mart Panthers on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.
Four previous trips to the championship game under head coach Denney Faith ended in losses. Faith said the difference between state champ and state runner-up is often minimal.
By Sam Waller
Albany Lions head football coach Denney Faith finally has the one career achievement that had been missing from his resume – the same resume he has apparently not seen the need to update for more than three decades.
“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.
