Hornets face big challenge
Oct. 6—The Hancock County High School football team faces its biggest test this season tonight when it entertains undefeated Union County in a Class 3-A showdown that will go a long way toward determining the district championship and postseason seeding.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at GN Excavating Stadium in Hawesville.
"They're undefeated and they're ranked among the top 3-A teams in the state, with good reason," Hornets head coach Bobby Eubanks said of the Braves. "They can run it, they can throw it, and they play outstanding defense. You don't go this deep into a season unbeaten without being a quality team.
"We're coming off two long road trips and we're certainly glad to be playing them at our place," Eubanks said. "It should be a fun game for the fans, just as all of these district games seem to be. It's nerve-racking for coaches, but it's exciting for the players and fans — this is a tough six-team district, for sure."
Union County (7-0, 3-0 district) is ranked No. 5 in the KHSAA Class 3-A Ratings percentage Index (RPI), and features one of the top players in western Kentucky — junior quarterback Jarren Johnson, who has rushed for 1,166 yards and 19 touchdowns.
"Johnson is an outstanding back for them, an outstanding football player for them," Eubanks said. "Obviously, one of the keys for us to be in this game and have a chance to win it is to contain him as much as possible.
"They also have one of the better defenses I've seen this season, but as long as we can run the ball, throw the ball, and take care of the ball, we can hang in there with them," Eubanks said. "We need to be mistake-free as much as possible against Union County."
The Braves, who are coming off a 42-12 district road conquest of Trigg County, feature two other backs capable of taking it the distance — Willem McPeak, who has rushed for 679 yards and seven touchdowns, and Abeyan Fletcher, who has gained 235 yards on only 24 carries with four TDs.
Through the air, Johnson is 21 of 37 for 234 yards and four touchdowns, with two interceptions.
Defensively, the Braves are led by the trio of Waylon Wheatley (65 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss), Kamden Davis (59 tackles, 5 sacks) and Amare Black (59 tackles, 5 sacks). Meanwhile, Koleby Schroader and Luke Thomas each have for interceptions.
All told, Union County has outscored the opposition 254-98, and has rushed for 2,188 yards, while limiting the opposition to only 698.
Hancock County (5-2, 2-1) is coming off an impressive 40-39 come-from-behind district victory at Webster County. In that one, senior running back-linebacker Aiden Weatherholt rushed for 144 yards and registered 17 total tackles.
"Aiden has kind of jump-started our offense in recent weeks, and we've rallied behind his tenacity and competitiveness on both sides of the ball," Eubanks said. "He's a complete football player and an inspiration to all of us."
The Hornets continue to mature as a unit, Eubanks said.
"We grew a lot at Webster County, where we were down three scores late in the first half," Eubanks said. "To battle back and get that victory on their Senior Night told me a lot about how far we've come since the start of the season — we played well in all three phases of the game.
"We just need to build on the momentum we've established and continue to play the game the way we know how to play it," Eubanks said. "We have a big challenge in front of us, but all these district games are challenges. Every team has to be ready to play every time they step on the field, and that includes us. Hopefully, we'll be ready to go."
