By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church has scheduled two events focusing on youth in the coming month.

The church will conduct a youth revival Friday-Saturday, Feb. 18-19, and a volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 12, according to youth minister Eduardo San Lucas.

In addition, First Baptist will hold its Valentine luncheon following services on Sunday, Feb. 13.

Youth Revival

The youth revival is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. each evening with dinner following services each night.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions will have less travel for district football games the next two years following the release of the University Interscholastic League’s biennial realignment,announced Thursday, Feb. 3.

The Lions will compete in District 6-2A Division II, a six-team league that includes Hamlin, Miles, Roscoe, Abilene Texas Leadership Charter Academy, and Cross Plains. Abilene TLCA will play its first season of 11-man football in 2022.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs are moving south for the next two football seasons following biennial realignment.

Moran was placed in District 14-1A Division II with Paint Rock, Panther Creek, and Rising Star.

The UIL announced alignment Feb. 3 for the next two years for football, volleyball, and basketball.

The new football district has road trips of 83 miles to Panther Creek and 113 miles to Paint Rock.

“Travel is really the only negative,” Bulldogs football coach and athletic director John Hughes said.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs kept their playoff chances alive last week despite dropping their two District 13-1A girls basketball outings.

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, Moran lost 69-20 at Cross Plains. After being pushed back a day because of weather, the Lady Bulldogs lost 76-11 at Eula on Saturday, Feb. 5.

By Sam Waller

The Albany baseball and softball teams are nearing the start of their seasons with both looking to return to the playoffs.

The Lions baseball team will scrimmage Merkel on Friday, Feb. 18, with the junior varsity hosting a tournament Feb. 24-26.

The varsity schedule begins with the Eastland tournament March 3-5.

Lion coach David Fairchild returns 11 players from the 2021 varsity, which went 22-5-1 and reached the state quarterfinals. The task for the early portion of the season is filling lineup spots left vacant by graduation.

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church has scheduled two events focusing on youth in the coming month.

The church will conduct a youth revival Friday-Saturday, Feb. 18-19, and a volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 12, according to youth minister Eduardo San Lucas.

In addition, First Baptist will hold its Valentine luncheon following services on Sunday, Feb. 13.

Youth Revival

The youth revival is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. each evening with dinner following services each night.

The Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Weekend of Champions for area boys is set for Feb. 18-20 at Eastland’s Solid Rock Encampment.

FCA organizer Paul Johnston of Albany invites all boys from eighth grade through high school to attend the event.

There is a fee to attend, but there are scholarships available, said Johnston.

To contribute or to register, call 325-660-2347.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Despite last Saturday’s weather-triggered cancellation of a family festival, the Old Jail Art Center has a lot going on this month and on into March.

The museum is in the midst of February’s member appreciation month, and Hearts for Arts Week will get underway next Tuesday, with preparations underway for an exhibition opening and the Old Jail’s Ruby Jubilee at the end of the month.

In the works is another family festival March 12 – Helidonismata, a Greek celebration of spring.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Chris Knight concert set for last Saturday at the Aztec Theater was postponed by the artist due to weather conditions.

The event, which was part of the singer/songwriter series offered by Albany Live, has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 11, with the same tickets still valid for the later show, or a complete refund is also available through the website where tickets were purchased.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions basketball team fashioned a pair of playoff-caliber performances last week, clinching a playoff berth and avenging District 10-2A losses in the process.

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Lions upset district leader No. 23 Cisco 47-43 on the road, making up for a 55-50 home loss on Jan. 7. On Saturday, Feb. 5, Albany followed up with a 42-40 home victory over Anson, gaining a split with the Tigers following a 48-37 road loss on Jan. 11.