Category: Football

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By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

The Athens Hornets wrapped up their scrimmage schedule Friday night by hosting Greenville at Bruce Field. The two teams got in plenty of work and have lots of film to study before opening the season next week.

It is very hard for an outsider to assess a scrimmage because you never know why coaches are calling certain plays. From the stands it may look like a particular play doesn’t make sense, but coaches may be calling that play to look at a specific aspect of the offense or defense and not be worried about the yardage or down. So with that caveat, here are seven general thoughts I had while watching from the Hornet sideline.

– The Hornets are not afraid to hit, particularly on defense. In our podcast, Coach Paul Essary said that Athens was going to be physical and that came through Friday night.

– The defense has some speed and rallies to the ball well, characteristics that lend themselves to a great nickname if the D can live up to its potential: “The Swarm.”

– The new-look offense is going to be a lot of fun to watch this year.

– I saw several timing patterns built into the Hornet passing game. I predict the completion percentage on those play will go up as the season goes along.

– Xavius Fulton has a rifle for an arm and can put a lot of zip on his passes.

– It’s the preseason for everyone. The referees littered the field with flags Friday night as they worked to get themselves ready. I am sure many of those flags were more “teaching moments” than obvious infractions. I also saw one of the extra referees get wiped out on the Greenville sideline when he didn’t get out of the way of a running play quick enough.

– It’s time for the regular football! The Athens Hornets will open up the 2017 season at home 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, against Mexia. It will mark the first time the Hornets come out of their new field house for a regular season game, so it promises to be a very special night.

Interview with Athens High School Athletic Director and Coach Paul Essary. (8-22)

MAIN POINTS:

• Review Friday, Aug. 18, scrimmage against Royse City.
• Look forward to this Friday’s home scrimmage against Greenville.
• Meet the Hornets scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at Bruce Field.

QUOTABLE: “We were young last year and we’re young again. People ask how are you young two years in a row? Because we were playing with a lot of sophomores and freshmen last year. This year, they’re juniors and sophomores, and we do have a freshman that is starting for us again this year.”

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By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

It is really early and Athens was only in pads for the second day, but here are five thoughts from the Hornets’ intrasquad scrimmage held Saturday morning at Bruce Field.

1. I heard that the Hornets were going to roll with a new offense this year, but seeing is believing … and I believe. Quarterback Xavius Fulton went 3-4 during the scrimmage’s opening drive, which ended in a touchdown. That’s more passing in one series than we’ve seen in some games. You’ll even see Athens in the shotgun at times this season.

2. TE Rowdy Godwin has some nice hands.

3. I have to give kudos to Coach Paul Essary and the rest of the Hornet coaching staff for knowing when to change. It had to be hard to leave an offense that has brought so much success to Athens, but the makeup of this team is different than it has been in the past. The 2017 Hornets are very talented, but in a different way than the 2015 team and smart coaches adapt to their players.

4. One thing that won’t change is the physical nature of the Hornets. Athens is still going to hit, and hit hard.

5. BOLD PREDICTION: Bruce Field is now something special and even though there hasn’t been a game held there yet, I’m going to predict that Hornet fans are going to most love …. the new bathrooms!

6. BONUS THOUGHT: The cheerleaders and bell guard looked in midseason form this morning during photos. Hornet Nation is in good hands on the sidelines.

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The Athens Hornets will hold an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday morning at Bruce Field. The scrimmage will begin after the team finishes getting photos taken and should start about 9:30 to 9:45 a.m.

“The public is welcome to come,” said Coach Paul Essary, “it’s free of charge.”

“Work on your tan while you’re watching us work a little Hornet football and see what’s in the future for this year,” he said.