This interview was recorded Tuesday, Aug. 29, in the Athens ISD Field House with Coach Zac Harrell and Michael V. Hannigan.
==
The Athens Hornets will host Life Waxahachie in their home opener this Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The Hornets are looking to bounce back from a tough late-game loss to Brownsboro last week. Mistakes cost Athens in what was a winable game.
"We lost the game because of a lot of mistakes that we made," Coach Zac Harrell said, "penalties that happened before the snap."
Coach Harrell said the Word of the Week has been "Own It" and clean up those mistakes.
This post is brought to you by our sponsors, Athens Screen Printing, Tinsley Law & Title, Gibson Pharmacy, R&R Lawn Specialist, Gilbert Electric, Holt Wrecker, and Red Hill Construction.
There were positives to take from the game, however, like the experience gained by the large number of Hornets playing in their first varsity game. Of the 40 varsity players Friday night, 29 were seeing varsity action for the first time.
But although they are young, Coach Harrell said they showed they belong under the Friday Night Lights.
"I thought our kids that didn't have a lot of experience played really hard and played well," he said.
They must have a big effort this Friday night when Life Waxahachie comes to town. The Mustangs are coming off a 69-0 win over Newman International Academy. Newman didn't play football last year, so take that score with a grain of salt. However, Coach Harrell said the Mustangs are looking good this season.
"They're playing harder than they've ever played since I've seen them on tape, and they have a lot of confidence," he said.
* The Keys to the Game, according to Coach Harrell.
* Play with relentless effort every snap.
* Make the decisions throughout the week to be ready to play on Friday.
* Eliminate the self-inflicted wounds.
* Start both halves with intensity and focus.
