This interview was recorded Tuesday, Sept. 7, at the Athens ISD Field House.
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It's Homecoming Week for Athens ISD and the Hornets (2-0) are preparing to take on Fairfield (0-2) Friday night at Bruce Field. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
I. Players of the Week (1:25)
The Hornets beat Life Waxahachie last week, 40-7.
"It was a good win. The defense really played well," said Coach Zac Harrell. "The player of the week that stood out and made the biggest impact on the game was sophomore linebacker Jaxson Stiles."
Stiles recovered two fumbles and caused a third fumble while flying all over the field.
Other players of the week included: Offensive MVP Grant Yudizky, Defensive MVP Manuel Blancas, and Special Teams MVP Timber Crouch.
Listen to the interview for the Coach's thoughts on each of these players.
II. About the Fairfield Eagles (5:43)
Fairfield is still looking for its first win of the season after falling to Brownsboro last week, 31-28, but Coach Harrell's message to the Hornets this week is to not take the Eagles lightly.
"You always know with Fairfield that No. 1 they're well-coached and No. 2 they play extremely hard," he said.
Offensively, Fairfield is looking to run the ball. The Eagles will line up in a more traditional look rather than the spread offense alignments the Hornets have seen so far this season. They will also break the huddle and rush to the line of scrimmage looking to catch the defense off guard with a different formation.
"We've got to recognize what they're doing," said Coach Harrell. "We have to line up fast and be ready to go."
Defensively, the Eagles will use multiple fronts, sometimes with three defensive linemen and sometimes with four.
The Athens offense should be able to cause trouble for Fairfield, however, because of its ability to spread the field and distribute the ball to multiple players through both the running and passing attacks.
"We must do a good job of just doing what we do," Coach Harrell said.
III. Keys to the Game (16:00)
Every week, Coach Harrell has a Word of the Week and five Keys to Victory for his players.
Word of the Week: Focus -- "Our focus this week has to be on becoming a better team."
Key No. 1: Offense Must Execute -- "Do what you are coached to do on the simple things."
Key No. 2: Wear Them Down -- "100 percent every snap."
Key No. 3: Practice Mindset -- "Have the right practice mindset each day this week."
Key No. 4: Clean Up Special Teams Miscues -- "Every little thing matters."
Key No. 5: Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing -- "The main thing for us is becoming a better football team and that has to be the priority."
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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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