By Sam WallerThe Albany NFL Flag Football League reached the midway point of its season Saturday with two divisions having ties for first place.The league had to double up with two rounds of games two weeks ago after the original opening date of Oct. 2 was postponed because of wet field conditions.

By Sam WallerAlbany’s Jonathan Coody qualified for regional competition last week with his performance at the District 10-2A cross country meet at Anson.Coody, a freshman, finished sixth out of 11 runners in the varsity boys race on Oct. 13.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions junior varsity football team started quickly and never trailed last Thursday in defeating Hico 46-0 on the road.Cason Fairchild returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, and Lute Wheeler passed for three touchdowns as Albany improved to 7-0.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Junior High Cubs recorded a pair of road victories last Thursday despite going in different directions.The eighth grade Cubs won 34-0 at Hico, while the seventh grade won 22-21 at Abilene TLCA.Both teams are off this week as the Albany programs take an open date.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Junior High eighth grade Lady Cubs defeated Newcastle 25-14, 25-12 on Oct. 12 in last week’s only junior high volleyball match.The Lady Cubs seventh and eighth grade teams played Hawley on Monday. Results were not available at press time and will be reported next week.

By Sam WallerThe Moran Lady Bulldogs volleyball team kept its playoff hopes alive Saturday with a four-set victory over Rising Star.Entering their Tuesday match at Strawn, the Lady Bulldogs were tied with Newcastle for third place among District 6-2A’s Class 1A members at 4-4.

By Sam WallerMoran students spent the week building up spirit for homecoming weekend with a series of dress-up days.The week started with the patriotic ’Merica Monday, followed by the Hawaiian-themed Tiki Tuesday and Pajama Day on Wednesday.

By Sam WallerMoran’s football playoff hopes took a hit last Friday with a 60-14 loss at Woodson.Moran (1-5 overall, 1-1 District 9-1A Division II) fell behind 26-0 in the first quarter, but played closer over the next two. Woodson (3-3, 1-0) ended the game with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

By Donnie A. LucasLocal testing facilities reported 19 positive cases of ­COVID-19 for the week of Oct. 4-8, just one more than the prior week.

By Donnie A. LucasThe annual Albany Chest campaign is off and running, with directors setting a 2021 goal of $46,000. Twenty-six different organizations submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board during a meeting held on Wednesday, Oct. 7.