Hornets Get Ready for Season Opener at Henderson

(Sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy)

In this week’s episode, Michael is back with Athens Head Football Coach Zac Harrell as the Hornets gear up for the start of the regular football season. They dive into the shift from the preseason to regular games, discuss the young team's performance in recent scrimmages, and preview the upcoming game against Henderson.

Transition to Regular Season

Coach Harrell shares his thoughts on moving from preseason scrimmages into the structured schedule of regular-season games. He highlights the importance of this transition, where the real game planning and execution come into play, and his preference for this time of the year.

Reflections on Scrimmages

Despite the team's youth, Coach Harrell is encouraged by their resilience, noting how well they’ve rebounded from early mistakes. The scrimmages have shown promising signs of leadership and big play ability from the Hornets.

Game Week Against Henderson

The conversation shifts to the specifics of the first regular-season game against Henderson. Coach Harrell outlines the challenges posed by Henderson’s talented defensive line and their versatile offense. He underscores the need for effective communication and discipline to handle the diverse threats posed by Henderson.

Keys to Victory

Word of the Week - "All In": Coach Harrell discusses the team's focus for the week, emphasizing commitment and teamwork as essential components for success. He draws from Dabo Swinney’s framework of team member types to inspire his team to embrace every aspect of their roles, from practice to game day.

Control the Line of Scrimmage: Both the offensive and defensive lines must be at their best to handle the physical challenge posed by Henderson.

Maintain High Effort and Discipline: The Hornets are going to have to play smart, disciplined football, especially given Henderson's habit of using multiple formations.

Avoid Self-Inflicted Errors: Coach Harrell stresses the importance of playing cleanly—minimizing penalties, avoiding turnovers, and maintaining positive energy throughout the game.

Special Teams Focus: The play of the special teams will be crucial, particularly early in the year.

This Week

The Hornets will be on the road to open their season against Henderson this Friday at 7:30 p.m.