Hornets roll to win in season opener, 41-7
BROWNSBORO -- The Athens Hornets opened the 2021 football season with a bang Friday night by going on the road to beat rival Brownsboro, 41-7, in the annual Highway 31 Championship game.
The Hornets built a 34-0 first-half lead on the power of three defensive takeaways and a stellar performance from the offense.
Quarterback Ty Arroyo had the best game of his career, going 14-for-16 for 193 yards and four touchdowns. The junior showed pinpoint accuracy throughout, hitting his receivers on time and in stride all over the field.
"He played inspirational," said Coach Zac Harrell. "I don't know if I've ever seen him play that well."
A bevy of receivers also stepped up, with junior Jaden Crane and sophomores Jorien Ray and Desmond Garrett all notching touchdowns and multi-catch games.
While the offense was unstoppable, the defense was opportunistic. Although they gave up some yards to the Bears, the Hornet defense was able to create turnovers when needed.
"They moved the ball on us the first two series. They had some drives going," Harrell said, "and then we caused fumbles on the first two drives. That was huge for our momentum."
The two fumbles were recovered by Desmond Garrett and Marco Rocha. The Hornets also added an interception from LB Timber Crouch later in the first half.
With a huge lead, the Hornets leaned on their running game in the second half. Senior RB Jecorey Roberts and the offensive line responded by grinding down the Bears and the clock.
Roberts had a standout game, powering his way to 168 yards and 2 touchdowns on 27 carries.
"It was just a great team effort," Harrell said.
The Hornets will welcome Life Waxahachie into Bruce Field next Friday. The Mustangs were beaten by Connally, 57-6, in their opener last night.
SCORING PLAYS
ATHENS (1Q, 7:02) -- Ty Arroyo 31-yard pass to Jorien Ray. Anthony Ariciaga kick good. -- 7-0.
ATHENS (2Q, 11:15) -- Ty Arroyo 10-yard pass to Jorien Ray. Kick no good. -- 13-0.
ATHENS (2Q, 5:16) -- Ty Arroyo 11-yard pass to Desmond Garrett. Kick no good. -- 19-0.
ATHENS (2Q, 2:33) -- Jecorey Roberts 2-yard run. Ty Arroyo pass to Jorien Ray good. -- 27-0.
ATHENS (2Q, 1:19) -- Ty Arroyo 40-yard pass to Jaden Crane. Anthony Ariciaga kick good. -- 34-0.
BROWNSBORO (3Q, 5:22) -- Jaxyn Rogers 25-yard pass to Dylan Downey. Kick good. -- 34-7
ATHENS (4Q, 6:15) -- Jecorey Roberts 14-yard run. Anthony Ariciaga kick good. -- 41-7.
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