This interview was recorded Tuesday, Aug. 31, at the Athens ISD Field House.
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The Athens Hornets opened the 2021 football season last week by going on the road to beat Brownsboro, 41-7. The Hornets will play their home opener this Friday, Sept. 3, against Life Waxahachie. The Mustangs were beaten by Connally, 57-6, last week.
In this episode, Coach Zac Harrell discusses the Life Waxahachie Mustangs and the Hornets' preparation for the home opener.
I. Looking back at Brownsboro (:45)
"It was a good first game," said Coach Harrell. "The kids did really well being prepared and then responding to the challenge of playing really hard and really physical. I thought they did a great job of answering what we ask them to do all week so we're very pleased with Week 1."
Coach Harrell also praised the team for executing well for the first game. Specifically, he talked about timing in the passing game and strength on the offensive line.
"We're really proud of the offense, the way we played," he said.
II. Life Waxahachie (4:07)
Despite the outcome of their first game, the Mustangs have talent, according to Coach Harrell. He said because Life Waxahachie is a charter school, the roster turns over faster than a regular high school.
"I think why they struggle a little bit is because it's a totally new roster for those guys," Coach Harrell said, "but they're a dangerous football team."
Offensively, the Mustangs want to run the ball out of a spread formation, he said, and have an elite running back in Jeremy Brantley.
They also have talent on the offensive and defensive lines.
Defensively, the Mustangs play a four-man front with one or two linebackers.
III. In the box! (9:26)
Coach Harrell takes some time to talk about offensive strategy in relation to how many defenders are in the box. "The Box" in football is the defensive area in front of the offensive line close enough to impact the running game.
This is a great discussion for those wanting to know more about how plays are called.
IV. Keys to the game (12:28)
-- Word of the Week: 1 Percent. This week, coaches challenged the Hornets to be 1 percent better every day.
"We've got to continue to find ways to get better this week if we want to accomplish what we plan to accomplish in this district," Coach Harrell said.
-- Be better at the small things: Find one small way to be better this week.
-- Wear them down: Many of the Mustangs play on both offense and defense, so the Hornets want to work so they are tired in the second half.
-- Be 100 percent on extra points: It takes all 11, if you are on that team you need to take pride in doing your job.
-- Swarm to the ball on defense: Against a talented running back, the Hornets need to get all 11 defenders running to the ball.
** The coach took the time here to highlight three players who earned effort awards for how hard they played on defense last week. They were Hunter White, Logan Schwering, and Marco Rocha.
-- Play together, play with class.
V. Friday night details (17:49)
Kickoff Friday night is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the field house through 4 p.m. Thursday or online here until noon on Friday. Advance tickets are $5 adults/$3 students.
Tickets may also be purchased at the gate Friday night for $6. Senior citizen passes will be accepted.
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Hannigan Media is sponsored by Athens Screen Printing, Tinsley Law & Title, and Gibson Pharmacy, R&R Lawn Specialist, and Hope Springs Water.
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