Observations from Friday night's Athens game
By Michael V. Hannigan
The Athens Hornets were shut out by Henderson Friday, 29-0, on the first hot chocolate night of the season.
Here are some observations from a game that was defined more by the trainer’s table than the scoreboard.
-- I am not sure I have ever seen a team more snakebit by injuries than the 2020 Athens Hornets. Football is a tough, violent game and injuries are always a factor, but one point Friday the Hornet backfield consisted of QB2, RB5, and H-Back2. I’ve listened to NFL general managers say their nightmare is to have a string of injuries in one position group. Well, that’s what has happened to the Hornets in THREE position groups: running back, defensive line, and secondary.
-- Let’s acknowledge that the guys who came in did a nice job. Daniel Stanley played quarterback in the second half and provided a spark to the offense both running and throwing the ball. Dylan Marshall, a senior DB and WR, came in as running back and ripped an 18-yard run.
-- The injuries also obscured some nice performances on defense, particularly by Derek Killingsworth, Drew Horn, and Connor Clay. The score could have been a lot worse except for two big fourth down stops in the first half when the game was still in question. Offensively, Cedric Lowe caught four passes including a couple of big gains in the first half.
-- One thing that can’t be blamed on injuries is turnovers. The Hornets were minus-4 on the night with three fumbles and an interception. When Athens was successful early in the season, it was winning the turnover battle. In their two losses, the Hornets have been hurt by turnovers.
-- My award for Worst Performance doesn’t go to anyone on the field. I was unlucky enough to sit close enough to a “fan” to hear his negative critique of every play. In a 29-0 loss there are negative things, but this guy was ridiculous. I think the farther away some people get from actually playing the game -- and this guy’s playing days were WAY in the past -- the more they forget how difficult it is. Do yourself a favor, be positive. It just might change your life.
-- Classy move by the Henderson coach kneeling out the clock inside the Athens 10 yard line.
-- The Henderson High School band rocks. Literally! At one point they had a drum kit and electric guitar down on the field. I loved their acapella version of John Denver’s “Country Roads.”
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