This interview was recorded Wednesday, Aug. 24, in the Athens ISD Fieldhouse with Coach Zac Harrell and Michael V. Hannigan.
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The regular season is here and it is time to get to work. The Athens Hornets will welcome the Brownsboro Bears into Bruce Field Friday night for the annual Battle of Highway 31. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
"The kids are excited about opening up at Bruce Field against Brownsboro in Week 1," said Coach Zac Harrell. "It's been a good week of practice up to this point."
Topics in the podcast:
I. Hornets Look Good in Preseason (1:53)
Athens looked good in its two preseason scrimmages and looked particularly crisp last week against Corsicana.
"I think it is the best team we've had since we've been here," Coach Harrell said.
Coach Harrell attributed the improvements to having a good group of juniors and seniors, and also in the fourth year in the system.
"Our kids know what we expect," he said. "Our kids have put in more work up to this point than we have in the past."
II. Playing Fast (3:04)
On both sides of the ball, the Hornets have been quick and efficient during the preseason. While that may be expected from the offense which has been in the same system for four years, the defense is changing to a 3-4 look.
The new defensive coordinator for the Hornets is Chayse Rives.
"Defensively, we've really changed our concepts and we've tried to make it simple, and let's fly to the football," Coach Harrell said.
So far, it has worked and the defense looks like it is playing faster than it has in the past.
"I have seen a difference, so far, in the energy and effort our defense is playing with," Coach Harrell said, "and I think a lot of that is because we're not having to think as much."
III. The Offensive Line (5:04)
When asked to highlight someone who will make an impact Friday night, Coach Harrell pointed to the offensive line. There will be four seniors on that line against Brownsboro.
"I was really pleased at the scrimmage with how physical our offensive line played," he said.
Friday night's OL will be Ivan Pinedo, Slade Haresnape, Zach Carranza, Dillon Normandin, and Daniel Banuelos.
"Those guys need to be talked about and are going to have as much to do with the success of our team as anybody else," Coach Harrel said, "but they don't get talked about because they play offensive line."
IV. About Brownsboro (9:28)
The Brownsboro Bears are in their second year under head coach Lance Connot. Now that the players have a year of experience in the system, expect the Bears to come out playing hard.
"Brownsboro is a very good football team," said Coach Harrell. "Offensively, especially, they are very good."
Coach Harrell said the Bears are talented at quarterback and receiver.
"They are a complete team on offense," he said. "It is going to be a great challenge for us defensively."
On defense, the Bears play multiple fronts which will challenge the Hornet offensive line.
"We're kind of preparing for everything," Coach Harrell said.
These posts are free thanks to Hannigan Media sponsors Athens Screen Printing, Tinsley Law & Title, Gibson Pharmacy, R&R Lawn Specialist, Gilbert Electric, Hunan Buffet, and Holt Wrecker.
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