(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title and Holt Wrecker Service )
In the first Athens Notebook football podcast of 2026, Michael Hannigan sits down with Head Coach Zac Harrell to reflect on the first two weeks of practice, discuss the standard of sustaining elite success, and preview Thursday’s Meet the Hornets event and Friday’s scrimmage at Fairfield.
Sustaining Greatness
Coming off an 11-3 season that reached the Class 4A Division II Region Final and matched the best record in school history, the Hornets face a new challenge. Athens graduated more than 30 seniors from last year’s squad.
Coach Harrell emphasized that maintaining high-level success requires continuous buy-in, pointing out that while many teams can pull off one great year, sustaining elite-level play is difficult. Now that Athens has established itself statewide, every opponent has the Hornets circled on their schedule.
The Grind
Coach Harrell described the first two weeks of practice as the “biggest grind” of the season.
“You’re stacking practice after practice after practice after practice,” he said. “We practiced five days full go last week. When you get into the season, you’re only practicing three days a week. Now, there’s no breaks.”
“To be great, it’s not easy. It’s hard,” Coach Harrell said. “These first two weeks are a grind, but once you get through this, it starts getting really fun.”
Roster Reload
The Hornets return two starters on offense: center Peyton Mahan and running back Charli Kiser. Mahan will anchor the line, while Kiser is primed for a big year after working as a key contributor last season.
“I think Charli Kiser is fixing to have a massive season,” said Coach Harrell.
The defense brings back six starters and deep experience:
Danny Kelley, Marvin Lyons, and Ja’Bory Taylor, who is working back from injury. An experienced secondary returns safeties Satchel Williams and Kaeden Johnson, plus cornerbacks Gerren Lee Brown and Ja’Coby Wilson.
Community Support
Coach Harrell highlighted the all-in community support required to build a winning program, specifically praising the Athens Booster Club. Over the last three years, the group has raised more than $400,000 to support every 7th through 12th-grade athletic program in the district.
This Week
Meet the Hornets is set for Thursday, Aug. 13, at Bruce Field. The Booster Club will host a meal from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring hot dogs, followed by the main program at 7 p.m.
Athens then travels to Fairfield on Friday, Aug. 14, for its first scrimmage. JV and freshman teams start at 6 p.m., with varsity set for approximately 7:15 p.m.
