Hornets more ready than ever for Ganado
By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Kris Bagley 2007 Louise Hornets The Louise Hornets Varsity football team members, coaches and water boys for the 2007 season include (front, l-r) Jace Bill, Kyle Lawson, Michael Jacinto, Josh Estrada, Cory Hajovsky, Chris Hicks, Rudy Ochoa, Clay Stevens, (second, l-r) Danny Estrada, T.J. Ochoa, Jay Sulak, Clint Barrera, Desmond Pulliam, Zack Lawson, Mathew Blumrick, Nick Barrera, Zane Soliz, (third, l-r) Will Dowell, Javier Padron, Mark Stevens, Josh Quebe, Josh Curtis, Rodney Dowell, Craig Jackson, Joe Bill, John Duke, Jacob Bill, (Back, lr) Ethan Chamberlain, Jonathan DeLeon, Josh Wetz, Garrett Brown, Wesley Branscum, Antwon Parson, Andrew Cardenas and Michael Parson. Not pictured is C.J. Clements. The Hornets are 2-0 and will play Ganado Friday.

The Hornets are about to take part in their biggest rivalry game of the year.

Louise remembers last year's match with Ganado well.

After a 2-0 start to the year, Louise hosted the Indians in Week 3 and topped the Hornets 8-6.

This year, Louise is out to a 2-0 start once again and if they want to keep their undefeated season alive, the Hornets will have to upset the Indians on their home field.

This year, Hornets Head Coach Rodney Dowell said, more then ever, his team has a shot in what fans are referring as the "Mustang Creek Shoot Out."

"We've got a good chance," Dowell said. We had a good chance last year, but let it slip from our grasp. We want our kids to come out focused and play hard, have an opportunity to win the game and for everybody on Ganado to stay healthy and for us to stay healthy - that's the main thing."

As if the Hornets needed any extra motivation for this rivalry match, Ganado has made Friday its homecoming game.

"I'm not insulted by it, I see the logic behind it," Dowell said. "Their district is so tough that I wouldn't expect it not to be homecoming. I'm not very insulted by it, but it does add a little extra bitter sweetness if we were able to beat them. It would be nice, but it would be nice to beat Ganado no matter what."

Ganado, 0-2 to start the year, will bring a running attack to face the Hornets anchored with a massive offensive line.

"They are huge and they're the best 0-2 teams in the state in my opinion," Dowell said. "Coach Mike Rabe does a great job with those kids. They're big, strong and fast. They've got a lot of talent over there, it's just unfortunate that they're in probably the toughest 2- A district in Texas. It's tough on them to battle week in and week out.

"They're a running team. Their quarterback is good and they can throw the ball, but they're primarily a running team. They've got two good backs that they rotate at tailback and a great fullback. They're offensive line is ridiculously strong. They're unbelievable and that's the strength of their offense."

In order to win, Dowell said, Louise will have to combat an equally impressive defensive line with a little more trickery in their running attack.

The Hornets thrive on deception and their success at misdirection should determine the outcome of Friday's game.

"What we're hoping to do is hide the football," Dowell said. "That's what we hope to do every game and that's not a secret. We want to do what we do and make what we do very difficult on the defense to find the football. If they can't find the football, they can't tackle you."

Louise's opponent last Friday may still be looking for the hidden football.

Hornets 34,

Shiner St. Paul 0

The Hornets put on a great display for their fans Friday night for the first home game of the season and came away with a huge win.

Rushing touchdowns by Kyle Lawson, Antwon Parson and a passing touchdown from Nick Barrera to C.J. Clements helped the Hornets tally 34 points while the defense smothered St. Paul for the shutout.

"For getting a shutout in the second game of the year and scoring 34 points, it was a more balanced attack this time," Dowell said. "Last week, pretty much the whole offense was around Kyle where this time, Kyle had 100 yards rushing and we had 100 yards in the air also."

Louise achieved a balanced attack, Dowell said, in part because of how seasoned his team is. The Hornets have enough experience now that the players are even helping to coach during games.

"Our kids understand the system now," Dowell said. "Our quarterback (Barrera) played a whole season at halfback last year. He understands what that halfback is going through. In the course of a game, he can say to the halfback, 'Bounce that thing out' or 'Hit it up in there.' He'll coach them on the fly out there because he knows what that halfback is going through."

Louise will try to do the same thing this week against the Indians at Ganado.

Though the game is a road match, the two towns are only about eight miles away.

Dowell said with the proximity of the two rivals, he is hoping to bring the Hornet home-field advantage with him Friday night.

"We just want to make sure everybody knows to come out and support the Hornets," he said. "Let's pack the stands over there in Ganado. We're going to need every screaming voice and every screaming body. I just hope someone turns the lights out in Louise before they leave."