Hornets Hope Transition Back to Ground Game Gets them Back to Playoffs

MERTZON, TX-- The Irion County administration didn’t have to go far to hire their new coach ahead of the 2018 season following David Waddell’s departure.

In fact, they promoted defensive coordinator Lee Harvey to the post vacated by Waddell. Harvey arrived in summer 2017.

Harvey said that familiarity with the Hornets helped a smooth transition in the offseason.

“It was pretty smooth,” Harvey said. “The kids, the coaching staff and the new coaches we brought in made it a whole lot easier. The kids were real responsive to the change...We just took it in stride and hit the ground running.”

[[{"fid":"45005","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Irion County's Lee Harvey instructs his players during practice. Aug. 20, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Irion County's Lee Harvey instructs his players during practice. Aug. 20, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"alt":"Irion County's Lee Harvey instructs his players during practice. Aug. 20, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]Above: Irion County's Lee Harvey instructs his players during practice. Aug. 20, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)

Irion County made the playoffs for the first time in 13 years with a 4-7 season a year ago. The Hornets return five starters on each side of the ball from that team, which the coaching staff feels will help in 2018. That includes guys like Nathan Chacon, Cade Cramer and Blake Miller.

“They’ve really stepped up,” Harvey said of his returners. “We have just five seniors, but they’ve played big leadership roles during fall camp and pushed the [younger] kids.”

Harvey highlighted Chacon because of his position change from last season. Chacon moved from signal-caller to running back for the Hornets in the ahead of the 2018 season. Because of his willingness to accept that role, Harvey says the offense has transitioned nicely into the run-heavy wishbone offense.

“He’s really enjoyed it,” Harvey said. “He wasn’t too sure about it at first...He’s really responded well to the change. In the first scrimmage he performed really well.”

[[{"fid":"45006","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"An Irion County defensive back catches a pass during a drill. Aug. 20, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"An Irion County defensive back catches a pass during a drill. Aug. 20, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"alt":"An Irion County defensive back catches a pass during a drill. Aug. 20, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]]Above: An Irion County defensive back catches a pass during a drill. Aug. 20, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)

Junior Brad Grider will now be the signal-caller for the Hornets.

“He’s really impressed me,” Harvey said. “He’s a real smart kid and really takes charge and knows how the offense operates. He picked it up real fast.”

The reason Harvey wanted to move to the ground was simple, clock management.

“[In the wishbone] we can control the clock and keep the ball out of the other team’s hands,” Harvey said. “So, our goal is to try and shorten the game.”

The Hornets have a tough district slate starting with Christoval and Eldorado out of the gate. Both of those games will be at home, which is an advantage in Harvey’s eyes. Last year, the Hornets were able to beat Christoval at home last year to open the season.

“I guess it was kind of considered an upset because they were supposed to come over here and win the ballgame,” Harvey said. “It’ll be a true test for us right off the bat with Christoval and Eldorado.”

Irion County will open up the season at home with McCamey on Friday, Aug. 31.