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The Athens Hornets are playoff-bound. The Hornets improved to 7-2 last week with a physical 43-26 win over Center, and now they're getting ready for their regular season finale at Bullard. Coach Zac Harrell's team keeps proving people wrong, especially in big games. First it was Kaufman, then Waco Connally, and now Center -- each time Athens was picked to lose, and each time they showed why that was a mistake.
"Every big game we've had this year, we've been picked to lose. Our kids like that. They like people doubting them. It'll be no different in the first round of the playoffs, and that's perfectly fine with us. We know the only thing that matters is what our room and our building thinks," said Coach Harrell.
Hornets Physically Dominate Center
Athens outworked Center last Friday. The game wasn't perfect - the Hornets had two fumbles and had dropped passes - but they were the more physical team all night long. That's exactly what Coach Harrell has been working toward since he arrived. After the game, Center's coach admitted it plainly: "We got hit in the mouth tonight."
The win showcased what Athens football has embodied all season. Even when things weren’t clicking perfectly, the Hornets kept pushing. Friday night they dominated the line of scrimmage, and as the game wore on, Center’s energy started to fade. That’s becoming a Hornet trademark this season: toughness.
"We talk all the time about controlling what you can control, being mentally tough, and playing the next play," said Coach Harrell. "That's the biggest thing I saw. We had a lot of things go in that game that would have given us reason to point fingers or be down on ourselves, but our kids just kept lining up and kept playing."
Getting Ready for Bullard
Bullard brings a 2-7 record into the game, but Coach Harrell isn't taking them lightly. They run their defense out of a 3-3 stack formation and sometimes switch to a 4-2 look. Occasionally, they'll even stand up all six of their front defenders and walk them around before the snap, trying to confuse the offense.
On offense, they're a run-first team that likes to use their tight end to create mismatches. Even though Bullard's record isn't the best, Coach Harrell pointed out that last year they upset Van in the final game of the season when Van had already locked up their playoff spot. He's using that as a reminder that his team can't let up.
"We believe that if we want to do what we want to do in the playoffs, we have to improve this week, and we have to find a way to play better football," said Coach Harrell.
Keys to Victory
Coach Harrell outlined the following keys to the game for the Hornets:
- Word of the Week: Details - Coach Harrell used a specific example from the Center game: on one third-down play, they ran a rocket screen to the left, but because one player slid the wrong way, it disrupted the timing and the play went nowhere. The very next series, they ran a similar play with proper execution and scored a long touchdown. It's those small details that can turn good plays into great ones.
- The Little Things - Players need to nail their assignments to keep drives alive and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
- Block Effectively Against Unconventional Defense: With Bullard's unique defensive alignment, maintaining proper blocking and clear communication across the offensive line is essential. Everyone doing their job on each snap will prevent breakdowns and keep the offense moving.
- "Kill Their Will" on Defense: The goal is to physically and mentally wear down the opposing offense. Recent games have shown that by the second half, opposing teams have struggled to maintain their energy and focus against the relentless pressure. Sustaining this defensive intensity will be key.
- Play with Discipline – Between the Whistles: Coach Harrell wants his team to stay disciplined and avoid any unnecessary penalties. Keeping emotions in check and playing cleanly has been a strong point this season, and continuing that will maintain their integrity and effectiveness.
- Improve Every Day: The focus is on relentless effort paired with high-level execution. There's no room for regression; each player is expected to show up better than they were the day before.
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