Athens Beats Henderson in Instant Classic
Richardson scores 7 touchdowns as Athens nips Henderson 56-49
(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy.)
The first six minutes were a nightmare. The final seconds were a dream.
Athens opened the 2025 season Friday night with a 56-49 win over Henderson, pulling off a comeback thriller in front of a raucous home crowd.
“It’s always good to get a win in the first game and we knew it was going to be tough,” Coach Zac Harrell said. “That’s a really good football team. That was a playoff type game in Week 1."
The Hornets spotted Henderson a 14-0 lead, giving up a long opening drive touchdown and then fumbling away the ensuing kickoff. Henderson turned both chances into scores behind running back Jesstin Starling, who powered the Lions all night.
Athens steadied itself and began to lean on its playmakers. Quarterback David Richardson threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 147 yards and four more scores. His last one, a 15-yard run with two seconds left, put the Hornets ahead for good.
“I don’t have words for how badly (Richardson) wants to win,” Coach Harrell said. “He’s special.”
The game was a back-and-forth battle after the shaky start. The Hornets trailed 21-13 in the second quarter before Richardson connected with Eli Carnes on a 38-yard touchdown pass. Later in the half, Ja’Bory Taylor bulled in from six yards out to give Athens its first lead at 27-21.
After halftime, Richardson kept the Hornets rolling. He scored on a 20-yard run in the third quarter, then answered a Henderson touchdown minutes later with a 15-yard run that pushed Athens back in front 41-35.
Henderson would not go away. Starling added his fourth touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make it 42-41. Athens answered again, this time on a 1-yard Richardson run, and then added the two-point conversion himself to give the Hornets a 49-42 lead with just under seven minutes left.
The Lions tied the game once more when Jordan Ervin scooped up a fumble and raced 33 yards for a touchdown with 3:14 to play. That set the stage for the gutsy final drive.
Richardson guided the Hornets down the field in the closing minutes, and with the clock nearly gone, he broke free for a 15-yard touchdown run. The score with two seconds left sealed the win in front of the home crowd.
Richardson had plenty of help. E’manuel Moore caught nine passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Cody Carter added six catches for 71 yards. On the ground, sophomore Charli Kiser carried 12 times for 62 yards, and Taylor added 85 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
“The guys stepped up and made plays,” Coach Harrell said. “I can’t be more proud of this team for finding a way to win a tough game like that.”
Athens (1-0) will hit the road next week to face Kaufman on Friday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
SCORING SUMMARY
HEN - 1Q, 9:00 - Jesstin Starling 3-yard run. Ivan Navarro kick good. -- 7-0
HEN - 1Q, 6:36 - Jesstin Starling 1-yard run. Ivan Navarro kick good. -- 14-0
ATH - 1Q, 3:51 - David Richardson 21-yard run. Kick no good. -- 14-6
ATH - 2Q, 11:56 - David Richardson 11-yard pass to E'manuel Moore. Juan Robles kick good. -- 14-13
HEN - 2Q, 10:45 - Vince Howard 90-yard pass to Lamarion Colman. Ivan Navarro kick good. -- 21-13
ATH - 2Q, 10:45 - David Richardson 38-yard pass to Eli Carnes. Juan Robles kick good. -- 21-20
ATH - 2Q, 6:31 - Ja'Bory Taylor 6-yard run. Juan Robles kick good. -- 27-21
HEN - 2Q, 2:19 - Jesstin Starling 1-yard run. Ivan Navarro kick good. 28-27
ATH - 3Q, 7:64 - David Richardson 20-yard run. Juan Robles kick good. -- 35-27
HEN - 3Q, 5:44 - Jesstin Starling 4-yard run. Ivan Navarro kick good. 35-34
ATH - 3Q, 2:32 - David Richardson 15-yard run. Juan Robles kick good. -- 41-35
HEN - 4Q, 10:56 - Jesstin Starling 9-yard run. Ivan Navarro kick good. -- 42-41
ATH - 4Q, 6:58 - David Richardson 1-yard run. Richardson 2-point conversion good. -- 49-42
HEN - 4Q, 3:14 - Jordan Ervin 33-yard fumble return. Ivan Navarro kick good. 49-49
ATH - 4Q, 0:02 - David Richardson 15-yard run. Juan Robles kick good. -- 56-49