(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy.)
Talking on this week’s Hornet podcast, Coach Zac Harrell said the Hornets are proud of their progress but focused on what’s ahead, a top-10 match-up Friday night at Carthage.
Staying Grounded
The Hornets are 5-1 overall and 1-0 in district play after a 52-8 win over Brownsboro and are now ranked No. 8 in the state.
Coach Harrell said it’s good to see the recognition, but the team knows what really matters.
“It’s good to see people recognizing the work that’s been done here and to honor these kids and how much that they’ve bought into this program and bought into what we’ve tried to ask of them,” he said. “But on the other hand, it really doesn’t mean anything. You’ve got to go out every Friday and perform.”
Coach Harrell told the team, “It’s nice to have recognition and you’ve earned that. You deserve that. But if we start slapping ourselves on the back and like, ‘Hey, yeah, we’re pretty good,’ well, then you’re going to get humbled real quick. We have to continue to do what got us to this point — and that’s showing up every day and coming to practice whether you don’t feel 100 percent or not, and playing for your teammates and going to work.”
Selfless Football
“Our number-one value is being selfless,” Coach Harrell said. “I believe that’s the ultimate way to live your life.”
He pointed to nose guard Jaden “Pookie” Davis as an example of that attitude.
“Playing nose isn’t a glory position,” Coach Harrell said. “You’re not going to get a lot of tackles or sacks, but he gives tremendous effort and pours into his teammates. He’s 100 percent bought into our culture.”
That mindset, Coach Harrell said, has carried throughout the team. “It doesn’t matter who’s getting the ball or scoring touchdowns; the only thing that matters is the Athens Hornet football team winning together.”
Defensive Dominance
Athens’ defense has become an aggressive unit, forcing four turnovers against Brownsboro and holding the Bears’ high-scoring offense to a single touchdown.
Since Week 2, Athens has gone from minus-five in turnover margin to plus-three on the season.
“Our defense just totally dominated,” Coach Harrell said. “It’s 11 guys playing really hard every snap. It’s not about who gets the accolades, it’s about doing your job for your teammates.”
Top-10 Matchup: Athens vs. Carthage
Friday night brings a major challenge, and opportunity, as No. 8 Athens travels to face No. 1 Carthage, a program that has won 10 state championships since 2009.
“What an opportunity to get to play the best football team in 4A for the last 15 years,” Coach Harrell said. “They’ve earned that title. They’re talented and unbelievably well-coached, and that combination makes them really tough.”
Carthage runs a pro-style offense with a mix of formations and checks at the line of scrimmage, led by the coach’s son at quarterback. Harrell said their defense is equally strong, featuring two elite linebackers and a scheme that shifts between 3-4 and 4-2 looks.
Keys to Victory
The word of the week is All In. Harrell said that mindset applies on and off the field.
“To compete at an elite level, to win a state championship, you have to be all in — in everything you do,” he said. “That’s what it’s going to take for us to have a chance to win this game.”
Be all in on every snap.
Make Carthage earn every yard and win fourth downs — they rarely punt.
Execute special teams. “We can’t make errors in the kicking game and expect to win,” Coach Harrell said.
Play harder with more energy. Relentless effort from the first snap.
Protect the football. Continue winning the turnover battle.
This Week
Friday, Oct. 17 — Athens at Carthage, 7:30 p.m.
