Hornets Put it All Together in 48-9 Rout
By Michael V. Hannigan
RUSK -- How about those Hornets?
Athens put together its best game of the season Friday night, dominating Rusk whether running, throwing, or playing defense to notch a District 8-4A win over Rusk, 48-9.
"We hadn't really put all three levels together at one time," Athens Coach Zac Harrell said after the game. "I thought tonight was the first time, really, we've done that. That's a good football team over there that we played really well."
The win improves the Hornets' record to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in district play, and was an impressive rebound from last week's loss to No. 1-ranked Carthage.
"I think that shows what kind of team this is," said Coach Harrell. "It shows the job of the coaches did on getting them refocused and making them understand that that loss doesn't define our season. That loss really doesn't have any impact on our season."
Any question about Friday night's outcome was put to rest early as Athens took its first possession 55 yards on eight plays, finishing with a 12-yard touchdown strike from David Richardson to E'manuel Moore.
After trading turnovers on the next two plays, the Hornet defense got its shot and shut down the Eagles to force a three and out. The following possession by Athens went 85 yards in eight plays, finishing with a 1-yard touchdown run by Jace Warren.
And the rout was on.
The Hornets racked up over 460 yards of offense and that was with their starters sitting out the fourth quarter.
Jace Warren led Athens on the ground with 17 carries for 121 yards and three touchdowns, nearly all of it in the first half.
E'manuel Moore put on a show. The receiver made multiple one-handed grabs on his way to a 10-catch, 178-yard, three-touchdown performance.
Quarterback David Richardson knocked some rust off early coming back from a three-week layoff because of injury and finished the night going 19-of-25 for 300 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The Hornets were just as impressive on the defensive side of the ball, holding Rusk to just 106 yards for the night, and 60 of those came on one long bomb.
One stat highlights how dominate the Athens defensive was Friday night: Rusk had more punts (8) than first downs (5).
Next week, the Hornets will be back home to host Center, which is also 2-1 in district.
"We put ourselves in position to play them next week for a shot at second place in district, which really helps seeding going into a playoff run," said Coach Harrell.
(Video: David Richardson throws a 12-yard touchdown to E'manuel Moore for the first score of Friday night's 48-9 win over Rusk.)
SCORING SUMMARY
ATHENS - 1Q, 8:42 - David Richardson 12-yard pass to E'manuel Moore. Agustin Rodriguez kick good. -- 7-0
ATHENS - 1Q, 3:43 - Jace Warren 1-yard run. Agustin Rodriguez kick good. -- 14-0
ATHENS - 2Q, 8:18 - David Richardson 24-yard pass to Julious Brewer. Kick
blocked. RUSK Adrian Tumblin returned blocked punt 96 yards for 2-pt conversion. -- 20-2
ATHENS - 2Q, 5:26 - Jace Warren 23-yard run. Agustin Rodriguez kick good. -- 27-2
ATHENS - 2Q, 1:17 - Jace Warren 2-yard run. Agustin Rodriguez kick good. -- 34-2
ATHENS - 3Q, 5:52 - David Richardson 29-yard pass to E'manuel Moore. Agustin Rodriguez kick good. -- 41-2
RUSK - 3Q, 2:43 - Jermichael Sturns 60-yard pass to Brayden Grimes. Carlos Galan kick good. -- 41-9
ATHENS - 3Q, 0:00 - David Richardson 44-yard pass to E'manuel Moore. Agustin Rodriguez kick good. -- 48-9