Hornets return from bye, face Lake Creek for top district spot
Oct. 19—HUNTSVILLE — After a Week 8 bye week to help rest up, Huntsville football returns to the field as they gear up for one of the toughest challenges they face the No. 2 team in 5A, DII Friday night.
The Hornets (4-3, 3-0 District 10, 5A DII) will hit the road for the first time since Sept. 30, where they grabbed a 67-0 win over Lamar Consolidated. With two road games played, Huntsville sits with a 2-0 record and outscored opponents 128-27 in those games.
While this will be a big test for the Hornets, they have two weeks to heal and prepare for Lake Creek — a team that beat them 46-6 last year.
"We got a chance to rest the kids and we got a chance to see our next two opponents live," Huntsville head coach Rodney Southern said. "I thought Monday's practice this week was one of the best we've had all year. Our kids know this stretch is going to be tough. We have to be able to go play and eliminate mistakes."
Huntsville is coming off a 17-3 win over Rudder two weeks ago and the momentum of the opening of the new Huntsville ISD Stadium. Both squads come into this game with similar teams to last season but Lake Creek has a quarterback change.
Junior quarterback Eli Marcos has played in all seven games for the Lions (8-0, 4-0 District 10 5A, DII) but went down with an injury last week against Rudder. As he missed the remainder of the game, it is unclear if he will start against Huntsville.
The Hornets will have to plan for him though. Through seven games he has thrown for 1,182 yards and 13 scores through the air. His legs are a secondary resource and are a big part of the run game. The junior QB averages 71 yards on the ground and is explosive in both phases.
Lake Creek has averaged 53.5 points per game and has been without Dave Campbell's Texas Football District 10-5A, DII preseason offensive MVP in Tybonn Byars for a couple of games this season.
Byars took the Hornets for 218 yards last year but he has been held out since the Lions Week 5 game against Richmond Randle. Huntsville's key will be their ability to limit the big plays. The Hornets haven't allowed a game-changing play since their district opener against Montgomery.
"For us on defense, it is going to be to recognize and have an idea of what is coming. We have to be aware of the down and distance and what formation they are in," Southern said. "I think all year we have tackled better than expected this year. If [Tyvonn Byars] plays then you have to have a lot of bodies at the point of attack. We haven't given up a whole lot of explosive plays over the last couple of weeks but tackling in space is a priority every week."
The Hornets' offense has been reliant on the run game but has seen an uptake from junior quarterback Austin Taylor.
With three games under his belt, Taylor has completed 28 passes for 443 yards and five scores. While he was timid to use his legs early, Taylor has seen an uptick since the start of district. Taylor has used his legs to move the ball for 85 yards in district play.
To pair with him, the Hornets have sophomore Trae'Shawn Brown and junior Braylon Phelps to carry the rock. While the two have swapped carries, Phelps has been consistent in his running ability in the last two games.
Phelps has rushed for 189 yards in the last two games and has come into his own for Huntsville.
Getting the ground game going will also open up the air game like it has all season for Huntsville. Taylor has found his top targets for 26 receptions this year for 513 yards. Seniors Melton Green III and Savion Conteh have both hauled in six catches each and have nearly equal yards, but Green has the touchdowns to go with it.
As Lake Creek is explosive, keeping the Hornet offense on the field is going to be key to getting the win.
"When we have opportunities we have to drive the ball," Southern said. "We have to score points on the drives that we do get. They have had one or two plays that have gone 70-plus yards. We just have to get first downs and keep the clock moving."
While some coaches might preach that this is just another game, Southern has taken a different approach to this matchup.
Southern has leaned into this game and has told the team that it isn't just another game. Huntsville and Lake Creek are currently the last two undefeated teams left in District 10 5A, DII and while this game won't name a division champion, it sets up the winner to have the clearest path to the top-seed and district championship.
"I used to say it was just another game, but it's not. I think everybody knows that," Southern said. "One of us is going to come out of this game undefeated still and it gives you the front runner. It's a big game. Lake Creek is a well-coached and talented football team, but I would like to think we are the same thing. The more mistakes you limit, the better chance you have to win a game like this."
Huntsville and Lake Creek will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bear Stadium in Montgomery. The game will be broadcast on the 101.7 KSAM YouTube channel.
