By Melinda L. Lucas

Depending on the weather, this week’s Fifth Quarter fellowship will be held at the home of Ricky and DeVona Davis on Hwy. 6 Friday night, Nov. 1, following the Albany-Haskell football game.

First Baptist Church will host this week and will be serving hot dogs, s’mores, and water, according to youth minister Campbell Terry.

“Because of the conditions and the burn ban, we are not having a bonfire, but we will have fire pits to roast marshmallows,” said Terry.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Lady Lion basketball team will open the season when Albany hosts a couple of other area teams for scrimages on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1:00 p.m. 

Both varsity and JV games are listed on the schedule in the next couple of weeks, but whether those are all played depends on the success of the volleyball team in the playoffs.

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Fall Ball team season ended on Tuesday, Oct. 22 when the local 12U team lost 8-5 to Wylie in the second round of tournament action. Wylie went on to play in the final game, where they lost to Southern.

“We had a great season overall,” said organizer Anthony Ceder.  

Albany played youth from all over the area and ended the regular season with a 4-1-1 record.

The local team had a bye in the first round of the tourney. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The JV Lions kept a perfect season record with a 34-0 shutout over the Cross Plains Buffaloes last Thursday at Robert Nail Stadium, improving to 8-0 for the season.

The JV will travel to Haskell today to face the Indians as the district race continues. Kickoff is expected about 6:30 p.m. following the junior high games.

On the following Thursday, Nov. 7, Albany will host three sub-varsity games, beginning at 4:00 p.m. with the seventh grade against Haskell, followed by the eighth grade and the JV against Hamlin.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The eighth grade Albany Cubs football team sent the visiting Cross Plains junior high team home with a 24-8 loss last Thursday.

Both junior high teams will be in action this Thursday (today) in Haskell, starting at 4:00 p.m.

After stopping the Cross Plains offense early in the game, the Cubs scored on their second offensive play when Adam Hill raced 33 yards to the goal. Lanxton Viertel followed with a two-point run for an 8-0 lead.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Cubs volleyball teams closed out the season on Tuesday with a pair of wins.

The seventh graders posted a 25-22, 25-23 win in Strawn, while the eighth graders hosted Ranger to pick up a 25-14, 25-14 victory. Details were not available at press time.

The eighth graders traveled to Moran Oct. 22, bringing home a 25-4, 25-11 win. 

Kiana Roberson scored on 14 consecutive serves and had two kills, while Robin Lucas put up 12 straight serves. Callan Edgar had two assists.

By Kathy Thomson

Deer and turkey seasons open on Saturday, and hunters hoping for cooler weather for the opening weekend of general deer season are in luck, with temperatures expected to range from lows in the mid 30s to highs in the mid 50s on Saturday and lower 60s on Sunday.

Even more important to hunters, deer and turkey populations look good both in Shackelford County and across the state.

By Kathy Thomson

The kickoff for the Moran vs. Blackwell game last Friday was delayed for almost an hour after the Moran bus broke down during the road trip, leaving the Bulldogs waiting on the side of the highway for a replacement vehicle.

The ’Dawgs didn’t fare much better after the starting whistle finally opened the game against the undefeated Hornets at 8:15 p.m.

Blackwell swarmed their way to a 50-0 victory in two quarters, dropping Moran to 4-4 on the season and 0-1 in district play.

By Kathy Thomson

Seven Lady Bulldogs represented Moran at the Region III-1A Cross Country Championships held at Dallas’ Jesse Owens Memorial Complex on Monday, Oct. 28. 

They placed 21st in the team division. 

“I am super proud of how hard this group has worked all season,” said coach Jo Hise. “It’s tough to juggle both cross country and volleyball. They all became stronger athletes and individuals by working so hard.”  

By Kathy Thomson

Red Ribbon Week is underway at the Moran Independent School District, and students have been encouraged to dress up for the special theme days this week.

On Monday, the theme “I won’t get mixed up with drugs” was reinforced by “mixed-matched” clothes.

Camo attire on Tuesday encouraged students to “Join in the fight against drugs.”

“Give drugs the boot” was the dress-up theme for Wednesday, and everyone was urged to wear boots.