Loss to Carthage doesn't diminish Hornets' potential

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By Michael V. Hannigan

OK, they're good.

The Carthage Bulldogs have won nine state titles in the past 15 seasons. They're really good. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Carthage came to town Friday night and beat our injury-riddled Hornets, 49-7.

But truthfully, Friday night didn't feel like a beat down -- at least to me it didn't. It felt more like one of those nights when, if just a couple things go your way early, it could be a completely different game.

I saw it.

I saw Jase Warren pounding through their defense for 8 and 9 yards at a time. I saw the respect they had for receivers Julious Brewer, E'manuel Moore, Dray'von Russell, and AJ White.

I saw Eli Carnes and Ja'bory Taylor in their backfield. I saw them pressuring their quarterback and flushing him out of the pocket.

I saw a pair of sophomore quarterbacks with very little varsity experience -- Thatcher Diamond and Zyh'ian Tilly -- completing passes. Tilly connected on a couple bombs to AJ White and threw a touchdown pass to E'manuel Moore.

I saw them competing with one of the most storied programs in the state. Showing they belonged.

But Carthage converted on fourth-and-14 and the Hornets got down early. This allowed the Bulldog defense to let its front seven off the leash. The mystique of a state champion took over.

However, the gap between these two teams isn't as big as the scoreboard suggested. I saw it Friday night, the Hornets belong with the top teams in 4A, Division II.

Though a loss, this game can be a valuable experience for a Hornet team looking to move to the next level. They battled hard and showed potential against the very best the state has to offer.

It is now up to them to use Friday night as fuel to grow stronger, better prepared for what will come their way as the season continues.

Including, maybe, another shot at Carthage later in the year.