By Donnie A. Lucas

The JV Lions opened the season last Thursday at home, shutting out the Colorado City Wolves 36-0.

The Lions will travel to Dublin on Thursday (today) for another pre-district bout. The JV will follow the two junior high games which start at 4:30 p.m. The JV kickoff is expected at about 6:45 p.m.

The Lions scored on their first possession against Colorado City last week, with quarterback Cole Chapman hitting Malachi Gueldner with a four-yard pass for the tally. The extra point attempt failed.

By Kathy Thomson

The Moran Bulldogs won their first football game of the year, defeating Benjamin 58-12.

“We got the year started off right with a win over the Benjamin Mustangs,” said head coach John Hughes. “The guys gave great effort.”

The coach said that his players still have a lot of work to do and need to fix some mental mistakes, but he is pleased with the progress they have made.

By Kathy Thomson

The Lady Bulldogs continued tournament play last week, placing third with a win over Gustine in the 2019 Strawn Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 31 after splitting matches with the Strawn JV and Early on Thursday, Aug. 29.

In their first match at 9:15 a.m., Moran defeated the Strawn JV team in straight sets, 25-15 and 25-14.

The Lady Dawgs came back after lunch to take on Early and ended up losing 9-25, 13-25 to the eventual tournament champions.

Moran returned  Saturday to play an 11:30 a.m. match. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of participants in junior high football and volleyball remained high for this season, with both programs starting competition on Thursday, Sept. 5.

The volleyball teams will host Wylie East starting at 4:30 p.m. with the seventh grade teams playing in the old gym and the eighth grade in the newer gym.

A total of 32 girls have been divided into four teams, with an A and B team for each grade level.

“The girls are sticking with it and doing a good job of working hard,” coach Dakota Fowler said.

By Kathy Thomson

The Lady Bulldogs won three of four games last week, beating Rotan last Tuesday and hitting the court again to claim second place at the Gorman tournament on Saturday.

The Moran team hosted Rotan in the regular season match-up on Tuesday, Aug. 20, defeating the Lady Yellowhammers in five sets 26-25, 20-25, 25-6, 12-25, and 15-4.

“Every girl got the chance to play at least two sets in the Rotan game,” said coach Jo Hise.

By Kathy Thomson

The Moran Bulldogs finished preseason scrimmages last Friday in Gustine, started this week by greeting children arriving at the Moran campus for the first day of school on Monday, and are scheduled to open the 2019 football season in Benjamin tomorrow, Aug. 30 with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Head football coach Denney Faith thinks each and every game is important, especially season openers.

But the Lions’ first regular season outing promises special significance both for Faith and the Lions.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The varsity Lady Lions won a five-game battle against Eastland early last week, along with picking up the consolation trophy at the Dublin Tournament over the weekend.

Albany traveled to Clyde on for a rematch with the Lady Bulldogs, coming up short 14-25, 8-25, 20-25.

The varsity will be open this weekend, resuming pre-district action Tuesday, Sept. 3 when they host Bangs in a full set of games starting at 4:30 p.m.

Varsity Beats Eastland in 5

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany runners will compete in the first cross country meet of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 3 in Eula.

Several junior high and high school runners will participate in the event, starting with the seventh grade girls at 4:00 p.m. and the eighth grade girls at 4:20 p.m. The junior high boys will take their place at the starting line at 4:40 p.m., followed by the varsity boys at 5:50 p.m.

There are not any local high school girls attending the meet due to conflicts with volleyball games.

Season tickets are now on sale at the Albany High School principal’s office for the 2019 football season, featuring stadium seating at Nail Stadium.

The Lions are hosting six home varsity games this year, starting with a Sept. 6 non-district matchup against Dublin.

Because there are six home games this year, reserved season tickets cost $30 ($5 per game) for adults and $12 for students, according to ticket coordinator Ann Riley. 

The seats are not discounted from the regular gate price, but ensure Lion fans of reserved seating at varsity games.