The Moran Bulldogs will begin regular season Friday, Sept. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Rising Star, one week later than originally planned, after Benjamin was unable to field a team and had to cancel their Aug. 31 game.

Tomorrow’s game will be the first time new head coach Harley Ethridge will see his players in true game conditions. 

“Scrimmages have been productive,” Ethridge said. “My main challenge is to find kids who have little experience and get them ready for varsity play. I am pleased with their eagerness and attitudes.”

The Lion football team was put to the test last Thursday during a scrimmage in Anson, with the varsity’s first team coming up short against the Tigers.

The varsity will open the regular season at home Friday, hosting the Colorado City Wolves at Robert Nail Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. The visitors are moving up to Class 3A Div. II this year and typically provide a competitive start to the season.

The Lady Lion volleyball team won both games during pool play at the Dublin Tournament last week, earning a spot in the championship bracket only to face a pair of powerhouses on Saturday.

Albany hosted Clyde on Tuesday, falling in three games to the Class 3A Lady Bulldogs 15-25, 20-25, 18-25. 

The local girls are sitting at 4-8 for the season.

Albany runners will compete in the first cross country meet of the season next Tuesday, Sept. 4 in Eula.

Both the junior high and high school runners will attend the meet, which starts at 4:00 p.m.

Coach Tate Thompson reported a total of 13 junior high runners will participate, along with four high school athletes.

The high school team has been working out since Aug. 1, while the junior high students started on the first day of school, Aug. 16.

Season tickets are now on sale at the Albany High School principal’s office for the 2018 football season, featuring stadium seating at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The Lions are hosting five home varsity games this year. The season opener against Colorado City is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Aug. 31, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

Freshman Kam Browning hits the ball back over the net in JV girls action against Clyde on Tuesday. Both sub-varsity teams won their games against the Lady Bulldogs. The JV will play in Clyde this weekend while the varsity rests, then everyone will be back in action against Bangs next Tuesday.

The Lady Bulldogs lost games to Gorman, Bluff Dale, and Mullin, beat Rochelle, and took Bluff Dale in a rematch before falling again to the host team at the Gorman Spikefest Tournament earlier this month, according to coach Dakota Fowler.

Moran continued to travel, and lost in Aspermont on Tuesday, Aug. 21, before heading to Lingleville for a tournament last weekend.

Results of the first game at the Gorman Spikefest were reported last week.

The Lady Bulldogs lost two close sets to Bluff Dale to drop their second tournament game 21-25, 22-25.

Coach Denney Faith liked a lot of what he saw during the first scrimmage of the season last Friday against Coleman – he just wanted to see a little more of it.

The varsity portion of the practice game was cut short due to a weather delay, keeping the Lions from getting in their last offensive set.

The Lions will be on the road on Thursday (today) for a 6:00 p.m. start for the JV in Anson, with the varsity starting immediately following.

The Lady Lions dropped two volleyball matches last week as they continue to seek the right formula for a winning season.

Albany hosted Jim Ned on Tuesday, Aug. 14 in a rematch from a week earlier and was on the road to Aspermont last Wednesday.

Albany also traveled to Eastland on Tuesday, suffering a loss to the 3A Lady Mavs, 12-25, 13-25, 7-25.

The varsity is scheduled to play at the Dublin tournament starting Thursday (today) with pool games at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. Results of those games will determine when they enter bracket play on Saturday.

Freshman Sarah Beth Cotter (c) returns the ball during JV action in Eastland on Tuesday. Both local JV teams won their games against the Lady Mavs.