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Talking on this week’s Athens Hornets Podcast, Coach Zac Harrell said Athens is happy with its 2-0 start, but the focus remains on improving each week.

The Hornets showed progress in last week’s 48-35 win over Henderson. Now they get another strong test Friday night at Pine Tree.

Building Week by Week

Harrell said Athens improved from Week 1 to Week 2, and he believes better practices played a role.

With so many players still adjusting to varsity, the intensity, focus and detail required in practice remain part of the learning curve.

Harrell said Athens took a step forward last week, especially in practice Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I think that has a large part in why we played better,” he said.

A Run Game With Moving Parts

Athens has developed a clear run-first identity, but Harrell said the running game is more complex than it may look.

“There’s a lot of different moving parts in the run game,” Harrell said.

Athens can use similar blocking while changing what the backs are doing, leave defenders unblocked and read them, or let the defense dictate whether a run goes inside or outside.

That flexibility becomes even more important with Khion Brown at quarterback.

“You have to put defenses in a bind, and take advantage of the quarterback being a threat,” Harrell said.

Harrell also said Athens remains deep at running back. Two other talented backs have not been heavily involved because one is injured and another is playing a lot on defense.

“We are really blessed at running back right now with the talent that we have,” Harrell said. “So that’s a good problem to have.”

Scouting Pine Tree

Harrell said Pine Tree is a talented, experienced team that reached the third round of the Class 4A Division I playoffs last season.

“They have a lot of their guys back from last year, so they’re a super experienced team,” Harrell said.

Pine Tree scored 56 points in its opener and 36 against Carthage last week.

Harrell said the offense features a big quarterback who can throw, three talented receivers, two running backs and good size up front. Several of those players also play defense.

“This is a great playoff-caliber opponent that we’re getting to play Week 3,” Harrell said. “It’s a great measuring stick for us.”

Keys to Victory

Word of the Week: Brick by Brick

Harrell said the Hornets want to keep stacking good practices and good weeks together.

“It’s about us getting better, not about who we’re playing,” he said.

Keys to the game:

* Keep improving: Build on the progress from Week 1 to Week 2.

* Limit the big play: Make Pine Tree earn yards one snap at a time.

* Create turnovers: Pressure the quarterback and force mistakes.

* Play selfless football on offense: All 11 players have a job, regardless of who gets the ball.

* Be the tougher team: Athens must play better late after fatigue and depth became issues against Henderson. Harrell pointed directly to the fourth quarter last week, when Athens allowed 21 points. “We fell off, got tired, and we didn’t play as tough as we were capable of,” he said.

This Week

Athens travels to Pine Tree on Friday, Sept. 11. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

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Trinity Valley Community College head coach Sherard Poteete said the Cardinals’ focus this week is less about what happened in Georgia and more about how they respond to it.

Speaking on this week’s Cardinals podcast, Poteete broke down the 49-10 loss to Georgia Military, what showed up on film, and what TVCC needs to improve before Saturday’s trip to Kilgore.

Learning From Georgia Military

The final score was lopsided, but Poteete said there were stretches when the Cardinals did what they wanted offensively and defensively.

TVCC moved the ball on its first two possessions, but both ended in turnovers. The first came on a tipped pass that was intercepted. On the second possession, a running back lost the ball after taking a hit.

The Cardinals responded with a 13-play drive that ended in a field goal.

Poteete said TVCC was still in position to make a game of it late in the first half, but Georgia Military added a touchdown with 11 seconds left.

The Cardinals opened the second half with the defensive stop they wanted. Then another tipped pass was intercepted by a Georgia Military defensive lineman and returned for a touchdown.

Poteete said that sequence changed the game quickly.

“And now, it’s all of a sudden. A 14 point swing happens, just like that,” he said.

Even with the game out of reach, Poteete said he liked the way the Cardinals stayed together. Georgia Military did not score in the fourth quarter.

“That was the positive. Seeing those guys stick together and play together, knowing that this was not the only football game they’re going to play this year,” he said.

It Comes Down to Execution

Poteete said the film review showed the Cardinals’ biggest problem was execution.

Poteete said TVCC had players open, got blocks in place, and had defenders in position at times, but did not consistently finish plays.

“It just came down to just executing what was going on,” he said. “So can we execute this week?”

Scouting Kilgore

Kilgore enters Saturday’s game 1-1. The Rangers opened with a 34-20 loss to Blinn before beating Community Christian 87-0 last week.

Poteete said Kilgore will present another difficult test.

“Coach Gooden over at Kilgore has always got some athletes and always got a good football team and they’re always coached well,” Poteete said.

He described Kilgore’s kick returner as one of the best in the conference and said he is “electric with the ball in his hands.”

He also pointed to Kilgore’s athletic quarterback.

“You can’t just reach and grab, because he’ll run away from you,” Poteete said.

Kilgore also has length on the edge and players Poteete described as good pass rushers.

But Poteete said the Cardinals are not spending the week trying to become something different just because of the opponent.

“We’re focused on us,” he said. “We go be the best versions of ourselves this week, right? We don’t have to be somebody else, just go be us and we’ll be fine.”

Poteete said Saturday will show whether TVCC can make the kind of improvement coaches expect between the first and second games of the season.

“Can we have the growth from week one to week two that we expect?” he said.

This Week

TVCC travels to Kilgore on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

The game will be streamed on Kilgore College’s YouTube channel here.

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Talking on this week’s Hornet podcast, Coach Zac Harrell looked back at Athens’ 40-21 season-opening win over Nacogdoches and ahead to Friday’s home opener against Henderson.

Growing From Nacogdoches

Athens came home from Nacogdoches 1-0, but Harrell said the biggest goal now is improvement.

Several Hornets were in new roles last week, including players seeing their first varsity action. Harrell said winning on the road in difficult conditions showed resilience, but the performance was far from perfect.

“We wasted plays. We wasted drives because we weren’t executing assignments,” he said.

That improvement starts in practice. Harrell said Athens must be more consistent with assignments, especially on offense.

“You get better or you get worse (every week), you never stay the same,” he said.

Defensive Standouts

The Athens defense allowed only 169 yards against Nacogdoches, and several players stood out.

The Hornets named senior linebacker Marvin Lyons the game’s MVP after a 17-tackle performance, including 12 solo tackles and five assists to lead the team.

“He had a tremendous game,” Harrell said. “He’s really tried to be a leader and do things right and work hard. I think all those things showed on Friday night.”

Cam Walker also had a big night. Harrell praised his speed off the edge and pointed to Walker’s third-quarter interception as an important play that swung momentum.

Another player Harrell highlighted was junior defensive lineman Osiel Bautista, who played on the JV last season.

Harrell said Bautista’s development is an example of what can happen when players stay committed to the program and continue working.

Details Matter on Offense

Trey Thompson provided two of the biggest plays of the opener, rushing for 128 yards and two touchdowns on only five carries.

Harrell praised Thompson’s running, but also pointed to the work around him. On Thompson’s first long touchdown run, Harrell said the receivers blocked downfield well enough that no defender touched him.

That fits a larger message for the Athens offense.

Harrell said players cannot only focus on what happens when the ball comes their way. Running backs and receivers must know their assignments on every play.

“You’re not going to be a great team if you’re not good at the little things,” Harrell said.

Scouting Henderson

Henderson brings another strong test to Bruce Field.

Harrell said the Lions are well coached under Ricky Meeks and have dangerous athletes on both sides of the ball.

Henderson’s offense is led by a sophomore quarterback who Harrell described as a big, talented passer.

“He can really throw the football,” Harrell said.

Athens will also have to account for Henderson’s top receiver, who Harrell called one of the fastest players in East Texas. He also plays cornerback.

Harrell said the biggest defensive challenge will be making Henderson’s quarterback uncomfortable and preventing him from sitting in the pocket.

Defensively, Henderson has shown a 4-2 front so far this season, but Athens will also prepare for the 3-3 stack the Lions have used in the past.

Harrell said Henderson’s secondary may be the strength of the defense, with several experienced players returning.

Keys to Victory

Word of the Week: Selfless

Harrell said selflessness remains one of the foundation pieces of the Athens program. He said the Hornets must continue building a team-first mindset.

“A great team cares about their teammates,” Harrell said. “A great team does things for the good of the team.”

Keys to the Game

* Practice selflessness. Harrell wants players focused on the team throughout the week, not touches, fatigue, or individual concerns.

* Do your job every play. Football requires all 11 players to handle their assignments, even when their work does not show up in the stat sheet.

* Make the quarterback uncomfortable. Athens wants pressure on Henderson’s passer and does not want to let him settle into the pocket.

* Make plays in the passing game. Harrell said Athens cannot rely only on the running game and must take advantage of passing opportunities.

* Win the turnover battle. Harrell said turnovers can be the difference when two good teams meet.

This Week

Henderson travels to Athens on Friday for the Hornets’ home opener at Bruce Field.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

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Trinity Valley Community College has waited longer than expected to learn what its 2026 football team can do.

Now the Cardinals are going to find out against one of the nation’s best.

No. 6 TVCC will open its season Saturday on the road against No. 10 Georgia Military after the Cardinals’ scheduled opener last week was canceled.

That means the Cards, with only two returning offensive starters and no returning defensive starters, will get their first test against a nationally-ranked opponent.

“We’ve liked what we’ve seen in the spring. We’ve liked what we’ve seen in practice,” TVCC Coach Sherard Poteete said. “But like I said, you don’t know how good we are until we go play somebody.”

Georgia Military already has.

The Bulldogs were ranked No. 6 in the preseason and opened against No. 4 Tyler Junior College. Poteete said the game remained within three points until the final 90 seconds before Georgia Military lost by 10.

That game also gave the Bulldogs something TVCC doesn’t have yet: experience with the rhythm of an actual game.

Poteete pointed to the transitions from offense to special teams and special teams to defense as examples of things that are difficult to reproduce in practice.

“We finally get to line up on Saturday against Georgia Military,” Poteete said. “We’re all on the same sideline. We’re all wearing the same color, one team, one unit.”

One of the biggest tests will come up front.

Poteete expects Georgia Military to establish the running game and use play action. That puts an early spotlight on a TVCC defensive front replacing four players who signed with Division I programs after last season.

Poteete said he likes the Cardinals’ pass rushers on the edge. He is particularly interested in seeing how the new interior defensive line handles Georgia Military’s running game.

“I’m excited to see what this next group of defensive linemen at the Valley can do,” he said.

There is experience behind them despite TVCC returning no defensive starters.

Amyrian Scott and Caydan Slater played significant snaps at linebacker last season, while Parker Poteete saw considerable time in the middle. Sherard Poteete said Parker averaged about six tackles per game in a backup role.

For all the questions surrounding a team with so many players stepping into larger roles, Poteete’s message before the Cardinals boarded the bus for Georgia was simple.

“I need you to be yourself,” he said.

Poteete doesn’t want his players trying to do more because the opponent is nationally ranked or because TVCC has waited an extra week to play.

Saturday will provide the first indication of what this version of the Cardinals looks like when the jerseys on the other side aren’t red and white.

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Now it counts.

Athens opens the 2026 season Friday night at Nacogdoches, where Hornets head coach Zac Harrell expects his team to face one of its toughest opening tests in recent years.

Harrell joined the Athens Hornets Podcast this week to wrap up the preseason and look ahead to the Dragons.

Looking Back at Lindale

Harrell was pleased with what he saw last Thursday against Lindale, particularly from the Athens defense.

“I thought our defense played hard and flew around a lot of energy,” Harrell said.

The secondary is one of the most experienced areas of the team. Cornerbacks Ja’Cobey Wilson and Gerren Lee Brown both started every game last season and will also take on offensive roles this year.

“I think one of the strengths of this team is we have two outstanding cornerbacks,” Harrell said.

Harrell cautioned against reading too much into a good scrimmage, however. Several Hornets are stepping into bigger roles this season, and Friday will bring challenges that weren’t present during the preseason, including four quarters of football, a roughly two-hour road trip, and the August heat.

Scouting Nacogdoches

Harrell and several Athens coaches traveled to watch Nacogdoches scrimmage last Friday.

The Dragons made the Class 5A playoffs last season and return nine players on defense. Harrell was particularly impressed with the defensive front.

“Their defense is good. At every position they have high-caliber athletes on the defensive side of the football,” Harrell said.

That will provide an immediate test for an Athens offensive line with only one player who entered the season with varsity experience.

“It takes time for those guys to play together to develop as a unit,” Harrell said.

Offensively, Harrell identified Nacogdoches’ quarterback and running back as the biggest threats. The quarterback played as a freshman last season, while the running back played receiver.

“They’re going to try to spread the ball around and attack you with their athletes,” Harrell said.

Nacogdoches has a new head coach in Jay Brown, who was promoted from within the program. The Dragons have made some changes offensively, but Harrell expects a strong opponent.

“It’s one of the toughest opening games we played,” Harrell said.

Word of the Week: Buy In

The first Word of the Week of the regular season is “Buy In.”

With so many Hornets moving into new or expanded roles, Harrell wants players willing to do whatever the team needs.

“Basically, it means trusting your teammates and trusting your coaches to do whatever you need to do for the team to be successful,” Harrell said.

Keys to the Game

Harrell laid out five keys for Friday:

* Prepare the right way. Athens players must practice well, take care of their bodies, and be prepared for the heat and long road trip.

* Contain the quarterback and running back. Harrell identified those two as the keys to the Nacogdoches offense and wants Athens getting multiple defenders to them.

* Compete on the offensive line. Athens can’t afford missed assignments against a talented defensive front. “What we can’t have is someone blocking the wrong gap, and letting somebody just run through untouched,” Harrell said.

* Be the tougher team. The Hornets need to handle the physical and mental challenges of playing four quarters on the road.

* Dominate special teams. Harrell believes special teams can make an especially large difference early in the season and could be decisive in a close game.

This week

Athens’ freshman White team plays at Elkhart at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The freshman Maroon team hosts Nacogdoches at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Bruce Field, with the JV game following.

The varsity Hornets open the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Nacogdoches.

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In this week’s Athens Notebook podcast, Michael Hannigan and Athens Head Coach Zac Harrell look back at what the Hornets learned from their first scrimmage at Fairfield and ahead to a much tougher test Thursday against Lindale.

The conversation also gets into how Athens has developed its young roster, why this year’s offense could feature more running backs, and what the Hornets still need to figure out before the season opener.

Plenty to Like

Harrell came away from Fairfield encouraged by the way his team played, particularly on defense.

“I thought our kids played really hard,” Harrell said. “That’s really what we wanted to see, see how hard and how our kids are going to compete.”

Athens also showed some explosiveness offensively. All three quarterbacks played well, Harrell said, and the Hornets threw six touchdown passes in 42 plays.

There were mistakes, but Harrell said getting those mistakes on film is part of the value of a scrimmage. The Hornets spent time reviewing the video and identifying things that need to improve before Thursday.

Reload, Not Rebuild

Athens graduated more than 30 seniors from last year’s team, leaving plenty of new faces stepping into important roles.

But Harrell said the program has spent years preparing players for those opportunities.

Some players who could have been varsity backups last year remained on JV because the coaching staff believed playing every down would help their development more than standing on the sideline. Harrell said four or five projected starters this season played JV as juniors last season.

“There are no reps like game reps,” Harrell said.

That development is one reason Harrell agrees with the description of this year’s team as a reload rather than a rebuild.

“It’s going to be different,” Harrell said. “We’re not the same team that we were last year, but we definitely think we have the pieces to be successful.”

Running the Football

One of those differences could show up in the Athens offense.

Last season, Athens had depth at receiver. This year, Harrell sees strength in the backfield.

“We’ve got four good running backs, so we don’t need one on the field and three of them sitting on the sideline,” Harrell said.

Harrell said that flexibility has been a feature of the Hornets’ offense throughout his time in Athens. The system changes to fit the players rather than forcing players into the same offense every season.

One thing will not change.

“I believe to be good at football, you’ve got to run the football and you’ve got to have a toughness,” Harrell said.

Final Test

Thursday brings a significant step up in competition.

Lindale is starting the year ranked No. 2 in Class 4A Division I by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.

“They’re going to provide a great challenge for us,” Harrell said. “It’ll be a great test for our kids going into that first game week.”

The scrimmage also represents Athens’ final major evaluation before the regular season.

Game-Like Conditions

The final portion of Thursday’s scrimmage will look more like an actual football game.

After a controlled period, Athens and Lindale will play a live half with a running clock. Coaches will move into the press box and players will operate from the sideline.

For many of the Hornets, it will be their first opportunity to experience those conditions at the varsity level.

It will also give Athens a chance to test its sideline communication, watches, film and replay systems before the games count.

“It’s a good test for everybody,” Harrell said.

This Week

Athens hosts Lindale on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Bruce Field.

The freshman and JV scrimmages begin at 6 p.m. The varsity will begin approximately 20 minutes after they finish, with Harrell estimating a start around 7:20 to 7:30 p.m.

Athens opens the regular season Friday, Aug. 28, at Nacogdoches.

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In the first Athens Notebook football podcast of 2026, Michael Hannigan sits down with Head Coach Zac Harrell to reflect on the first two weeks of practice, discuss the standard of sustaining elite success, and preview Thursday’s Meet the Hornets event and Friday’s scrimmage at Fairfield.

Sustaining Greatness

Coming off an 11-3 season that reached the Class 4A Division II Region Final and matched the best record in school history, the Hornets face a new challenge. Athens graduated more than 30 seniors from last year’s squad.

Coach Harrell emphasized that maintaining high-level success requires continuous buy-in, pointing out that while many teams can pull off one great year, sustaining elite-level play is difficult. Now that Athens has established itself statewide, every opponent has the Hornets circled on their schedule.

The Grind

Coach Harrell described the first two weeks of practice as the “biggest grind” of the season.

“You’re stacking practice after practice after practice after practice,” he said. “We practiced five days full go last week. When you get into the season, you’re only practicing three days a week. Now, there’s no breaks.”

“To be great, it’s not easy. It’s hard,” Coach Harrell said. “These first two weeks are a grind, but once you get through this, it starts getting really fun.”

Roster Reload

The Hornets return two starters on offense: center Peyton Mahan and running back Charli Kiser. Mahan will anchor the line, while Kiser is primed for a big year after working as a key contributor last season.

“I think Charli Kiser is fixing to have a massive season,” said Coach Harrell.

The defense brings back six starters and deep experience:

Danny Kelley, Marvin Lyons, and Ja’Bory Taylor, who is working back from injury. An experienced secondary returns safeties Satchel Williams and Kaeden Johnson, plus cornerbacks Gerren Lee Brown and Ja’Coby Wilson.

Community Support

Coach Harrell highlighted the all-in community support required to build a winning program, specifically praising the Athens Booster Club. Over the last three years, the group has raised more than $400,000 to support every 7th through 12th-grade athletic program in the district.

This Week

Meet the Hornets is set for Thursday, Aug. 13, at Bruce Field. The Booster Club will host a meal from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring hot dogs, followed by the main program at 7 p.m.

Athens then travels to Fairfield on Friday, Aug. 14, for its first scrimmage. JV and freshman teams start at 6 p.m., with varsity set for approximately 7:15 p.m.

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By Michael V. Hannigan

To be the best, there comes a time when you have to beat the best.

For Athens, that time comes Friday night in Tyler.

The Hornets will face top-ranked Carthage at 7 p.m. at Rose Stadium in the Region 2 final. Athens is the home team. It is a rematch of their district showdown in October, a 61-56 battle that went down to the final minutes.

Coach Zac Harrell said this week is not about revenge. It is about the opportunity in front of them.

“For us, it’s a fourth-round playoff game,” Harrell said. “We have the opportunity to play in the regional final against the best program in the state of Texas for the last 18 years.”

Harrell said blocking out the extra attention is a key part of the week. He wants the players focused on the habits that carried them through three playoff wins.

“You know it’s going to be a huge challenge playing a program like that,” Harrell said. “But our focus has to continue to be what it has been all year, and that’s trying to be the best we can be this week.”

Carthage brings one of the most complete teams in the state, including running back KJ Edwards, who Harrell believes is as good as anyone in Texas.

“I would say the best,” Harrell said. “I’d love to see one better anywhere in high school football.”

Harrell said Edwards is known for his speed but is just as dangerous because of how physical he runs.

“He’s really fast, but people miss how physical he is,” Harrell said. “There’s nobody that plays harder than he does.”

Harrell said tackling well and limiting explosive plays will be vital.

“He’s a threat to score anytime he touches it,” he said. “We have to get as many maroon hats to him as we can and wrap up.”

Carthage’s passing game adds to the challenge with a quarterback who has broken school passing records and Division I receivers.

“They’ve got talent everywhere,” Harrell said. “There are no weak spots.”

The Bulldogs’ defense is built the same way, highlighted by their linebackers, who have great range, can cover, and play physical.

But Harrell said the Hornets can match up if they stay true to who they are. He pointed to the toughness and discipline that have carried Athens into December. He said this team has earned its way into the fourth round.

“We feel like we’re a great football team too,” Harrell said. “If we put the best Athens football team on the field Friday, then let’s see what happens.”

KEYS TO THE GAME

Word of the Week: Us

Harrell said the focus must stay inside the building. He wants his players blocking out the noise, the hype, and the distractions that come with the fourth round.

“Our focus is on being the best team we can be,” Harrell said.

-- Tackle Edwards: Harrell was clear about the challenge of slowing Carthage running back KJ Edwards. Athens must wrap up, swarm, and limit explosive plays.

-- Eliminate the big play: Carthage can score from anywhere. Athens must force the Bulldogs to snap it over and over. Harrell said the key is making Carthage drive the field instead of giving up long touchdowns.

-- All 11 doing their job: Every snap in a game like this matters. Receivers must block. Linemen must finish. Defensive players must stay disciplined. No one can take a play off.

-- Get off the field on fourth down: Carthage does not punt. Harrell said Athens must first get them to fourth down, then finish the stop.

-- Win the turnover battle: Turnovers are critical in games like this. Athens must protect the football and find chances to take it away.

-- Play with max effort on every snap: Effort is non-negotiable against a team this good. He wants every player giving max effort from start to finish.

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Michael V. Hannigan

They’re thankful, but still hungry.

That has been the tone all week as Athens heads into its third-round playoff game Friday afternoon. The Hornets play Sunnyvale at 1 p.m. in Ennis in the Class 4A Division II regional semifinals. Athens is the visiting team.

Coach Zac Harrell said this round always brings strong opponents.

“There’s no turkeys left after Thanksgiving,” Coach Harrell said. “There’s no bad teams playing during this week.”

Sunnyvale fits that message. The Raiders are 11-1, with their only loss coming against Pleasant Grove, which is ranked No. 2 in the state. Their offense is explosive, averaging 52 points per game.

Coach Harrell said everything starts with Sunnyvale quarterback Cayson Maupin.

“He’s a warrior,” Coach Harrell said. “You can have everybody covered. You can get pressure on him. But he’s going to get out of it and somehow find a way to make a play.”

Coach Harrell said Maupin ran for 270 yards last week and can also beat defenses through the air.

The Raiders are big up front, and feature Grayson Smith at receiver.

Smith also anchors their defense as a linebacker and brings pressure with a physical front. Coach Harrell said Sunnyvale plays mostly man coverage and try to jump routes.

Still, he believes the Hornets match up well if they stay true to their identity.

“If we play our best game, we’re going to have a chance to beat anyone we play,” Coach Harrell said.

Keys to the Game

Word of the Week: Thankful, but still hungry

Coach Harrell said the team spent time sharing things they were thankful for during practice.

“God has blessed us to be a part of this team and this community,” he said. “We’re thankful for what we have, but we’re not satisfied.”

* Prepare the right way. Coach Harrell said the schedule is different this week without school, but the team has stacked two strong practices.

* Get off the field on third and fourth downs. Athens wants to reach 70 percent on stops in those situations.

* Be the tougher team. Coach Harrell said playoff games often come down to physical play.

* Make plays in the passing game. Sunnyvale is expected to load up to stop the run, which means Athens must protect and hit throws.

* Win special teams. The Hornets have improved in this phase since the Center game and want to keep that edge.

Coach Harrell also called on the Athens crowd to help make Friday special. He said the visitors’ side needs to be packed and loud. He praised last week’s crowd against Krum saying, “It was special. It was loud and big.”

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By Michael V. Hannigan

This one has the makings of a shootout.

The Hornets will face undefeated Krum on Friday night in the area round, a matchup between two high-powered offenses. Athens is averaging 53 points per game. Krum is averaging 51.

Krum enters the game at 10-0. One of its early games was canceled, but the Bobcats haven’t missed a beat.

“They’re a really really good football team,” Head Coach Zac Harrell said. “First thing that jumps out at you is their offense. They’ve scored a ton of points.”

Harrell said Krum’s offense is dangerous because it has answers everywhere.

“They don’t have any weak spots,” he said. “They have three really talented receivers. They have a running back that is really good. He’s already over a thousand yards. Their quarterback runs the offense extremely well. And the offensive line is really good.”

Harrell said the Bobcats are just as sound on defense.

“They’re extremely well coached,” he said. “They run their base defense and every position is coached really well on what to do to try to take away what the offense is doing.”

For Athens, that means the margin for error shrinks.

“When you’re playing a team that’s well coached, you got to make sure that you’re executing at a high level,” Harrell said. “Because if we’re not, then they’re going to get us.”

The Hornets are coming off their first playoff win in 10 years, a 57-49 shootout over Gilmer. Harrell said that win was important, but the team has to guard against two dangers this time of year: complacency and looking ahead.

“Once you start looking ahead your focus isn’t on what it has to be,” he said. “Our focus has to be on winning this week.”

Keys to the Game

Word of the Week: Foot on the pedal

“No cruise control,” Harrell said. “We tasted what it could feel like to win a playoff game. Well, let’s go get more. So don’t relax.”

* Fix last week’s mistakes. “Have a heightened focus on areas we must improve on from last week,” Harrell said.

* Get off the field on third and fourth downs. Gilmer ran 92 plays last week. Athens ran 37.

* Play with more physical energy. Match Krum’s effort snap to snap.

* Dominate the line of scrimmage on offense. “When we do that, we are really hard to stop,” Harrell said.

* Win the turnover battle. “Zero turnovers. Cause three,” Harrell said. “In a big game, if you do that, you’re going to be in good shape.”

Coach Harrell praised last week’s crowd.

“The community was a big factor in the game Friday,” Harrell said. “We need you on Friday. We need you to be loud and we need a lot of numbers there.”

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at E.H. Hanby Stadium in Mesquite.