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In this episode, Michael talks with Coach Harrell about the Hornets going on the road to face the Rusk Eagles.
Tough Loss to Carthage
Following their first district loss of the year, the Athens Hornets (5-2, 1-1) are looking to bounce back this week against the Rusk Eagles (2-5, 1-1). Coach Harrell remains optimistic about his team's prospects, emphasizing the need to learn from the Carthage game and focus on the challenges ahead.
"We were really closer to making that a game in the second half than probably most people realize," Coach Harrell said. "Our kids fought, played really hard, didn't lay down."
Despite the loss, Harrell was proud of how his team continued to fight in the second half. "Our guys kept playing," he said. "I think that's a tribute to the leadership we have."
He specifically praised the leadership of Jase Warren and Mason Shelton, and the performance of AJ White on offense.
Next Up is Rusk
Coach Harrell emphasized that the team is now fully focused on the Rusk Eagles, who are coming off a big win over Brownsboro. Rusk's offense put up more points against Brownsboro than they had all season, indicating they are finding their rhythm.
"Rusk is a really good football team," Coach Harrell said. "They've got a great coach. Thomas Sitton has been around a long time...and gets his kids to play really hard."
Harrell cautioned against underestimating the Eagles based on their 2-5 record, saying that they have been significantly impacted by injuries. But with key players returning from injury, Rusk's offense poses a threat.
"They run a lot more this year," Harrell said. "They've actually moved their linebacker from last year to quarterback. So they're run first now. They can throw it, and they have two to three really talented players that they move around in different spots."
While the Eagles offense can be a threat, their defense presents a unique challenge for the Hornets. They utilize an odd front and have shown a tendency to blitz frequently, making it tricky for offenses to predict where the pressure is coming from.
Coach Harrell described their blitz packages as complex and involving a variety of players.
"They're walking an inside linebacker out on the edge, and they're bringing the inside linebacker and the outside linebacker on the same side in some different combination," he said. "It's going to present a tough test... We've got to do a great job of recognizing... and we had to kind of install a different game plan on how we're going to block that, because that doesn't really just fit our base rules."
Keys to the Game
Coach Harrell outlined the following keys to the game for the Hornets:
Word of the Week: All In - Harrell stressed the importance of complete commitment to the program, both on and off the field. This includes practicing hard, making good decisions, and putting the team first.
Blitz Recognition - With Rusk's tendency to blitz, the Hornets need to be able to recognize and react to pressure effectively.
Third and Fourth Down Defense - Harrell wants to see improvement in getting off the field on third and fourth downs.
Win the Field Position Battle - Rusk's frequent onside kicks make field position crucial. The Hornets need to be prepared to cover kicks and gain an advantage in field position.
Strong Week of Practice - Harrell emphasized the importance of preparation and having a great week of practice leading up to the game.
This Week
The Hornets are on the road and travel to Rusk to take on the Eagles. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
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