By Sandy Morris

The traditional playoff drum beating, preceded by a community pep rally at the Bank Park, will kick off the Athletic Booster Club’s special activities this week as the Albany Lions prepare for the regional semifinal match-up with Windthorst.

Albany will travel the short distance to Breckenridge for this week’s game, with kickoff set for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. 

The -Lions will face the Windthorst Trojans, who defeated Archer City last week at the area level. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

Coming off a three-week break from action, it took the Lion football team most of the first quarter to get back into a rhythm that led to a 56-22 win over the Ralls Jackrabbits in the area playoff last week.

The Class 2A Div. II area win advances Albany to the regional semifinal game against a familiar foe.

The Lions (11-1) will face the Windthorst Trojans (11-1) on Friday in Breckenridge for the third round of the playoffs. Kickoff at Buckaroo Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lion volleyball team took three of the top superlative honors and several first and second team places in the District 6-2A All-District selections.

Albany ended the regular season as co-champions of the district along with Hawley. Ranger also was included in the 2A division of the district, which was a mixture of 1A and 2A teams.

The Lady Lions (23-5) advanced to the state semi-final round before falling to Crawford last week, while Hawley was eliminated in the area game by Colorado City.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The high school boys basketball season has started on a limited basis as the program waits for more players to join in at the conclusion of the football playoff run by the Lions.

The JV opened the season at home Saturday with a 56-9 romp over the Woodson varsity team.

The Albany varsity schedule is on hold pending the end of football.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lions varsity basketball team opened the season at home last Saturday, beating Woodson 64-7.

The varsity girls team also traveled to Guthrie on Monday, picking up a 40-37 win. Details of that game were not available due to an early deadline.

Both the JV and varsity girls were also scheduled to host Comanche on Tuesday. Results will be reported next week.

Both girls teams will be on the road Tuesday, Dec. 1 for games starting at 5:15 p.m. in Ballinger.

By Sandy Morris

There is one month left in the annual Albany Chest campaign and many more contributions are needed in order to meet the 2020 fundraising goal of $41,000. 

The goal was set by the directors at the start of the campaign after they reviewed the submitted funding requests from 25 organizations. 

Local residents are reminded that everyone is asked to give what they can, even if they cannot contribute large amounts.

By Sandy Morris

Pick-up dates for the December distribution of the commodity food program are Dec. 3 and 4.

On Thursday, Dec. 3, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Albany families who have been certified eligible for the December food distribution program can pick up their commodity food Friday, Dec. 4 at the rear door of the JP office (the former county jail) from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. 

By Sandy Morris

Albany athletic director and head football coach John Hughes recently announced the members of the Moran Bulldogs who were selected for all-district honors. 

In District 9A, Arren Hawley was named first team punter and second team running back, Cory Miller was named second team utility back and safety, Caleb York was named as second team tight center, and Connor Hall was named second team receiver.

Also receiving honorable mention honors were Memphis McGough and Toby Eason.

Shackelford County residents are reminded to get pecan or pecan food show show entries in to Extension Agent Kloey Painter or the Taylor County Expo Center by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Although numbers from the Texas Department of State Health Services continue to lag with no new Shackelford County cases officially reported as of Monday and only three active, there has been a perceived rise in the local COVID case count over the past couple of weeks.