(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy.)
On this week’s Hornet podcast, Coach Zac Harrell said the Hornets have shown resilience this season by staying focused and improving each week, no matter the circumstances.
Staying Focused
Last week’s 60-6 win over Rusk came a day early because of weather concerns, but the Hornets didn’t let that rattle them. Coach Harrell said the way Athens handled the change reflected the team’s maturity.
“It speaks to this team,” he said. “To not have a letdown after the Carthage game and to go into a game where you’re the more talented team, it would have been easy to not prepare. But our kids didn’t do that.”
He said the Hornets have learned from earlier mistakes, pointing to the Week 2 loss at Kaufman as a turning point. “That loss helped us,” Harrell said. “It showed we can’t have a letdown from week to week. Our energy and focus have to stay high, and our guys really understand that now.”
In the Trenches
Coach Harrell credited the offensive line for helping drive the team’s success. He said the group has been better than expected, both in execution and toughness.
“They’ve exceeded expectations,” he said. “They don’t get talked about much, but without them our offense isn’t where it’s at.”
The line includes senior leaders like right tackle Gus Wickle, right guard Brandon Casas, and left tackle Jose Pimentel, along with junior center Peyton Mayans and a rotation of seniors Jose Rine, Aiden Robinson, and Jamar Zakall at left guard. Harrell said their effort and experience have allowed the Hornets to control games up front.
“They’ve been rock solid,” he said. “They show up every day, they take coaching, and they take pride in what they do.”
(Full story on the Hornet offensive line coming soon.)
Scouting Center
The Hornets (6-2, 2-1 in district) travel to Center on Friday night for a match-up that could decide second place in the district standings.
“Center’s a really good football team,” Harrell said. “They’re 2-1 in district like us. They beat Bullard and Brownsboro and lost to Carthage, so this game is big for playoff seeding.”
Harrell said Center runs the ball about 80 percent of the time and features two explosive backs capable of breaking big plays. “They can hurt you any time they touch the ball,” he said.
Defensively, Center has been unpredictable. “They’ve mixed things up,” Harrell said. “Early in the season they had everybody standing up and moving around before the snap, then went to a four-man front. We just have to focus on what we do well and execute.”
Keys to Victory
Word of the Week: Athens Tough -- Coach Harrell said toughness has been a defining trait of this year’s team and will be the key to finishing the season strong.
“To be good at this sport, and really to be good at life, you have to be tough mentally and physically,” he said. “Late in the year, when you’re banged up and tired, that’s when it matters most.”
* Be tough all week, mentally and physically.
* Stop the run and limit big plays.
* Be prepared offensively and execute regardless of defensive looks.
* Be the most physical team on the field.
* Keep dominating the turnover battle. Athens is plus-eight for the season and has not turned the ball over in district play.
This Week
* Friday, Oct. 31 – Athens at Center, 7:30 p.m.
