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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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit athensnotebook.substack.com