Michael V. Hannigan Podcasts Michael V. Hannigan

This interview was recorded Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the Athens ISD Field House.

===

The Athens Hornets are set to kickoff their 2021 season Friday night on the road in Brownsboro.

Before we get into this week's interview with Coach Zac Harrell, a reminder that you must purchase tickets online for Friday's game. Get tickets here. https://www.gobearsgo.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1319755&type=d&pREC_ID=2216808

The Hornets are feeling excited as they move into the regular season.

"They feel really good about how the scrimmages went, especially the last scrimmage," said Coach Harrell, "and so our kids have very positive thoughts."

"The kids are excited and ready to go for Friday," he said.

(2:22) Brownsboro has a new coaching staff which adds an element of the unknown.

"It's a totally new staff and they have totally different schemes on both sides of the ball," Coach Harrell said.

Coach Harrell said the Hornets will have to be ready for what the Bears throw at them, particularly on defense.

"We'll have to be ready to adapt and adjust in the game," he said.

(3:54) The biggest challenge may come on the offensive line as the Hornets try to sort out their assignments.

(5:07) Coach Harrell also talked about the challenge -- and excitement -- of having such a young team. Of the 22 players who started with the first team during last week's scrimmage, 18 of them are underclassmen.

"We're really young," he said, "and we're excited about that. It bodes well for the future and not only does it bode well for the future, but we feel like those young guys are ready to compete at a high level right now."

(6:13) Coach Harrel highlighted this week's keys:

-- Word for the Week: Family

-- Don't give up big plays in the passing game

-- Win on special teams and make a big play

-- Execute assignments on the offensive line

-- Be physical early and set the tone

This interview was recorded Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the Athens ISD Field House.

==

The Athens Hornets have started their second week of practice and are preparing for their first scrimmage of the season.

The Hornets are scheduled to travel to Kaufman Friday morning to face the Lions in the first scrimmage of 2021. The JV and freshman are scheduled to start at 8 a.m. with the varsity following immediately afterward.

In today's podcast, Coach Zac Harrell said scrimmages aren't really something you win or lose.

"It's really an evaluation process for us," he said. "We're trying to see who, when you play somebody else, can play at a high level."

Coach Harrell will be keeping an eye on is the physicality in the trenches.

"One thing I am really looking at is to see the aggression and how physical our kids are up front," he said.

Also in the podcast:

-- Coach Harrell talks about the first week of practice.

-- He describes the pace of practice and how it is planned to keep everyone moving.

-- He talks about a new team motto that joins SWARM. The new motto is, "We Are All That We Need."

Athens Hornets Head Football Coach Zac Harrell is excited about the upcoming season.

"This is the most excited I've been about a season in a long time," he said.

With practice officially set to start on Monday, I sat down with the coach to discuss the summer program, changes to the staff, and players he's excited to watch.

I was a guest with Stephanie Gade on The Morning Sizzle (KLVQ) this morning and we talked about Love Athens Week. Listen in!

--

Are you ready to show you care about Athens? You will get the chance Aug. 2-6 during Love Athens Week. That week is being set aside for volunteer projects around town.

Organizers are currently accepting applications for potential projects, as well as signing up volunteers.

Projects that assist those who need the help of their community will be considered. Submit project applications via bit.ly/loveathensprojects.

Volunteers can come individually or in groups. This will be a great opportunity for organizations looking for service opportunities. Pick one night or join the fun all week. Volunteer to be a part of Love Athens Week via bit.ly/loveathensvolunteers.

The annual Peace Officers Memorial took place on the square in Athens Thursday, May 20. The guest speaker for the event was Jimmy Cotton, pastor of Cowboy Heritage Church in Freestone County. Here is his speech.

I was on the KLVQ Morning Sizzle with Stephanie Gade Friday morning. Here's the show minus the very cool music Stephanie plays. Oh, and Berta Winn from Jeaneane & Kevin Lilly McDonald's crashed the party.