Are you ready for a battle?
The Athens Hornets will open their season Friday night on the road against Brownsboro in the annual Battle of Highway 31.
The Hornets won a barn-burner last year, 34-27, in a game that saw the two teams combined for almost 800 yards of offense. Athens was led in that game by senior QB Ty Arroyo, but he's gone now, and the Hornets will be turning to sophomore David Richardson to lead the offense.
"We're really excited about him," said Athens Coach Zac Harrell. "He's very poised. You know he's a tall kid; he's about 6'2" as a sophomore, so he doesn't really look like a sophomore due to his build and his height. But in these scrimmages, he's thrown the ball really well."
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Richardson may be new to the Friday Night Lights, but not Coach Harrell's scheme. He's been playing in the offense since middle school, and that experience showed during the scrimmages.
"He hasn't looked like a sophomore," said Coach Harrell, "so we're really excited about his ceiling and what he can accomplish this year and beyond."
Another place experience is starting to show is on defense. The players are now in their second season playing the 3-4 front that Defensive Coordinator Chayse Rives brought with him. The defense looked fast and aggressive in the scrimmages.
"Our kids are more comfortable and are playing faster, and that's why we installed this scheme," Coach Harrell said.
The defense will have to step up Friday night to stop a potent Brownsboro team. The Bears have a lot of experience and are dangerous at both receiver and running back.
"We have to contain those guys," said Coach Harrell. "Offensively, they scare you because they have some guys that can go to the house on one play."
Defensively, Brownsboro also plays a 3-4 front, which could be helpful for the Hornets.
"It's a scheme that we see every day with our defense, so we're pretty familiar with it," Coach Harrell said.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Listen to the interview to also hear Coach Harrell discuss:
* More from the scrimmages.
* The positive vibe surrounding the team.
* The importance of senior leadership.
* Gage Friedrich coming back.
