Hornets meet Eagles for '07 homecoming
By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Kris Bagley A Great Start Antwon Parson ran for the opening touchdown of Louise's match with Shiner. He will help lead the Hornets Friday against the Woodsboro Eagles.

When Woodsboro comes to town Friday, the Hornets will have a couple of reasons to win.

Louise will need the win to continue pushing for a playoff spot and would like to see back-to-back wins once again, but perhaps the greatest reason of all is that it is homecoming.

"Woodsboro is going to be a challenge and we certainly aren't looking past anybody," said Rodney Dowell, head coach of the Hornets. "They're good and we've got to win. It's our homecoming - we want to win. We've got every motivation in the world to focus on this one."

The Hornets will host a 1-5 Eagle squad. Fans may be looking heavily at Louise's later schedule where they take on some tough district opponents, but the Hornets are focusing completely on Woodsboro.

"At this stage, we can't afford to look past anybody," Dowell said. "We only beat Charlotte 12-6. Flatonia beat Charlotte 22-12. I don't know what that means, but I'm telling you we've got to win four district games.

"This is one of the games we have to win to be in the playoffs. If we win this one, we're half way to where we need to be and then we've got to win at least two out of the next three to realistically control our own destiny."

Last year was the first homecoming win in a long time for Louise. The Hornets defeated Charlotte 47-0. Dowell said he hopes winning on homecoming can be a consistent thing for the Hornets.

"We want to keep that going," he said. "We told the kids that we've started a new tradition. We want to make sure we have an opportunity to win that homecoming game. When we bring our people back, we want them to be proud of what we've got."

In order to play their top game, the Hornets will have to overcome injuries, much like they have the entire season.

Garrett Brown, arguably Louise's best offensive lineman, missed the Charlotte game due to a concussion he suffered in the Hornets' win over Boling.

Brown played in much of Louise's game with Shiner, but was still feeling the effects of a hit. Dowell said he is unsure if Brown will return Friday.

"Garrett Brown got a concussion back in Boling. He toughed it out and played through Shiner, but just wasn't right. We've been a little concerned, so we held him out this past week," Dowell said. "We're hoping he gets back this week, but we'll just play it by ear and we'll have to see.

"He's still having some symptoms like headaches and he's having a hard time concentrating sometimes. The symptoms are real light now. Headaches are very minor and not very consistent. (Doctors) want us to start working him out this week slightly."

The Hornets expect to have tailback Chris Hicks available to play again. He left the Charlotte game around the third quarter with an injury, but Dowell said Hicks is feeling good and will play.

That should help the running game, which is still ailing due to an injury to Louise's fullback, Kyle Lawson. Lawson too, will play through his injury and will likely continue at under 100 percent for the rest of the year.

"Kyle is still banged up," Dowell said. "He's probably 70 percent, but he played last week and toughed it out. It's one of those high-ankle sprains and it's going to haunt him for a while."

Despite several key injuries, the Hornets were able to defeat Charlotte after a long road trip to the town southwest of San Antonio.

Hornets 12, Charlotte 6

Louise tallied 12 points in the first half while the Hornet defense held Charlotte scoreless through the first two quarters.

The Trojans came back for a touchdown late in the third quarter, but Louise's defense held on to come away with an important win.

The first score came on a great passing play from Cory Hajovsky to Antwon Parson for a 77-yard touchdown.

"Cory played really good offensively," Dowell said. "He threw the ball really well. They loaded up to stop the run, so Cory made some plays and got us where we needed to go. Antwon Parson was absolutely incredible. He just has really stepped it up and done a good job. We're counting on him to continue to do what he's been doing."

Louise scored again in the second quarter on a 4-yard run by Lawson.

After Charlotte made its only score of the game, the Hornets saw their lead threatened.

The Trojans marched down the field late in the fourth quarter and almost took the lead, but Wesley Branscum made a great defensive play to end the threat.

"They were driving and got down within the 20-yard line," Dowell said. "On a big third down play, the quarterback rolled out to the right and he was pressured. I think Clint Barrera and Zach Lawson were on him. He threw the ball, Wesley caught it. If Wesley Branscum doesn't catch that interception at the end of the game, it's a different ball game."

Dowell said the Hornets' defense has been strong lately, but the offense needs to step up and play to their capability.

"I just have to give it to our defense," Dowell said. "Our defense makes it extremely hard on people. We've got to get better offensively. We haven't really jelled like we need to this year because we've had such adversity."

Dowell said his team needs to work on overcoming a gameday lull. If the offense can get back to the level they were playing at during the beginning of the year and the defense can stay consistent, Louise could be looking at playoffs soon.

"We've proven time and time again this year that we can survive those challenges," Dowell said. "We bounced back after Ganado and beat Boling. We bounced back after getting our lungs kicked in against Shiner and we won against Charlotte on a big road trip. Those are some heavy obstacles stacked against you.

"It has strongly contributed to the character of these kids and the character of this coaching staff. If these last few games in this district come down to character, then I've got my money on the Hornets."

31-A Football DISTRICT STANDINGS