The junior high football teams both started the season well last Thursday with wins over visiting Dublin teams.

The Cubs will host Eastland on Thursday (today) starting at 4:30 p.m. with the seventh grade game. The games were on the schedule to be played in Eastland on Thursday, but were moved this week to Albany.

The eighth grade Cubs defeated Dublin 30-0 in the season opener last week.

“The Cubs looked great dominating Dublin,” coach Richard Sullivan said. “It was a fantastic start and a building block for the team.”

The JV Lions blanked the visiting Dublin -Lions, 32-0, in the home opener for Albany’s JV last Thursday at Robert Nail Stadium.

The team will be on the road this week in Eastland on Thursday (today). The Mavs are also hosting an opponent to play against their freshmen squad starting at 5:00 p.m., with the JV Lions following at about 6:30 p.m. 

The junior high games will be played in Albany to allow Eastland to play a freshman game at home.

The win over Dublin last week improved the JV to 2-0 for the season.

Moran High School’s 2018 homecoming king and queen will be crowned during halftime activities of the Bulldogs’ game with Sidney at Bulldog Stadium Friday night, Sept. 14. 

King nominees are Jesse Hawley, K.J. Henderson, Kobee Lapp, Curry Pendleton, and Ethan Smith. Queen contestants are Emma Hensley, Destiny Laurents, Kaylin New, Khloe New, Summer Pederson, and Hannah Whitehead.

Football sweetheart and cheer beau will both be announced at the game.

The Bulldogs and head coach, Harley Ethridge opened the season with a decisive 46-0 win in Rising Star on Friday, Sept. 7.

The junior high game tonight has been moved to Sidney, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Moran plays host to Sidney on Friday, Sept. 14, at Bulldog Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff in front of homecoming fans. 

“I was pleased with our first game,” said Ethridge. “The kids are smart, have been well coached in the past, and are eager to learn.”

The Bulldogs scored mostly on the ground, with only one passing TD.

The junior high Lady Bulldogs played their first game of the year in Moran on Tuesday, taking on Strawn.

“The junior high girls were very excited about their first game,” said girls head coach Dakota Fowler.

Afterwards, the varsity volleyball team faced Strawn’s Lady Greyhounds.

Scores were not available at press time.

Lt. Col. (ret.) Ernest Dayle “Buddy” Fincher, 85, of Albany, a native and former County Judge of Shackelford County and a veteran of the United States Air Force died on Sept. 5, 2018. After a valiant two month battle with cancer, Buddy Fincher went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in Jesus Christ supported him in his journey and gave him great peace.

Billie Sue Latimer Offield, of Breckenridge and formerly of Albany, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept.15, at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home, 415 W. Williams, Breckenridge, TX 76424. Interment will follow the service in Albany, Texas.

Billie Sue was the second of five children born to Luther and Della Latimer, their only daughter. The Latimer family moved often in the oilfield business, mostly within Texas. 

Donna Funderburg, age 70 of Albany, passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 13 at Bethany Baptist Church in Breckenridge, Texas with Rev. Andy Rodgers officiating. Interment will follow in the Moran Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. Visitation was from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 12 at Morehart Mortuary in Breckenridge. 

A final push over the last few weeks raised the remaining $3,800 needed for Albany Scouts to qualify for two pledged matching grants, totaling $30,000, toward the proposed $95,000 Scout Hut building. 

The local Scouts had to raise a grand total of $65,000 by last Saturday’s Sept. 1 deadline or lose the promised grant. 

Recent donations of $28,200 had already been added to $33,000 accumulated over several years, but as of a few weeks ago, the fund was still almost $4,000 short of the target.

After months of watching lake levels drop and vegetation shrivel, Shackelford County residents got some significant precipitation this week, with prospects of even more before thunderstorm chances begin dwindling on Sunday.

Rainfall started last Sunday about noon, continued on Monday, then fell over most of the county Tuesday, with some areas receiving two inches or more before press time.