Sports: Hornets up to the challenge
Nov. 9—Every summer since Bill Bradley was the Palestine quarterback, I have eagerly awaited the June arrival of my Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine.
The first thing I would do is flip to the pages of my favorite teams to see how the "Bible of Texas Football" picked em. That was before I learned that sportswriters don't really know anything and you'd be better off not putting much stock in their opinions.
This year the prognosis for Class 4-A District 8 Division 1 was Chapel Hill, Kilgore, Lindale, Palestine, Jacksonville, Henderson and bringing up the rear, Athens.
Every other school in the district had about 150 more kids to work with than Hornets' Coach Zac Harrell and his staff. Athens could only hang with the big boys of the district so long, before their numbers and talent enabled them to pull away.
But on the final week of the season rolled around, Palestine trotted into Bruce Field and were thumped by the fired Hornets.
I had that game on my mind when Athens bussed down to Anderson County to meet the Wildcats with a chance to end four years of frustration and snare a spot in the playoffs.
Another thing I had on my mind was the belief that this year's Hornets were just flat better a year ago. The opening loss to Brownsboro, a 29-28 setback could have killed the confidence of the team, but the Hornets felt they were the better team. They sped away from Waxahachie Life the following week, 49-28, then took the switch to their next three opponents, Rusk, Kaufman and Jacksonville, all teams that had beaten them the year before.
Running back Jamauri Manning was back after an injury riddled 2022 showing his 1,000 yard skills, which include the ability to crack into the line for tough yards or bounce to the outside and take it to the house.
The line, rebuilt after last year did its job week after week and quarterback David Richardson hit 57% of his throws for 12 touchdowns. It helped to have some dangerous receivers who could loosen up the defense. Among them was Jorien Ray, who caught 41 balls for eight scores.
The defense was also improved over 2022, getting just enough stops for the Hornets to come out on top. They also seemed to have a harder edge and surrender yardage more grudgingly agains potent offenses.
The 28-21 loss to Kilgore at Bruce Field seemed like a playoff game. Athens matched the Bulldogs score for score most of the way and controlled the ball the majority of the game.
In the must-win game at Palestine, the Hornets put it together for four quarters, and closed the door on the Wildcats with three fourth quarter touchdowns, 49-28.
This week, in the playoffs, Athens is once again the underdog against Lumberton. The Harris Ratings Service has Lumberton by 17. It's a familiar spot the Hornets, who respond by picking up their gear and going to work.
