Athens Concludes Non-District Play With 23-20 Defeat Of Robinson

[By Joe Elerson, Athens Daily Review]

ATHENS -- The Athens Hornets wrapped up a jam-packed week of homecoming festivities with a hard-fought 23-20 win over the Robinson Rockets on Friday night at Bruce Field.

With the return of junior running back Logan Fuller and the 1964 district champion Hornets in attendance, Athens improved to 3-2 on the season.

“Right now, I am glad we did this because this is in honor of the 1964 district championship team," said Athens coach Paul Essary. "I hope we made the guys proud and I think we did. I told the guys that it was for them tonight. I hope that they can go back home and say they are proud to be a Hornet.”

The Hornets are off next week. They will return to action on Oct. 10 on the road against the Van Vandals. Van was a 45-13 winner over Paris North Lamar as it improved to 5-0 on the year.

“Every game is big because the next time we play it will be a bigger game,” Essary said. “Like I told them, we worry about ourselves and try to get better every week. Right now, we are going to enjoy this win and we are happy that we have an open week because we have some guys that are banged up.”

Fuller rushed for 210 yards on 34 carries and one touchdown against a tough Rockets' defensive front line.

Athens jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first six minutes of the game behind a 32-yard field goal from David Cedillo on its opening possession of the game.

Athens junior Travon Fuller found the end zone as he blasted his way for 23 yards. The PAT by Cedillo went wide with 6:32 remaining in the first quarter.

The Rockets were able to get on the scoreboard with 4:34 remaining in the opening quarter. Following three straight stops by the defense on the Hornets' 1-yard line, LaVonte Owens barreled his way into the end zone to cut the deficit to 9-7.

“I was pleased with the defense, except for the goal-line stands," Essary said. "We played three downs hard and then on the fourth down they got into the end zone. I told the coaches at the half that we are two snaps away from being an excellent defensive team. I was proud of them and they stepped up and played as one.”

The Hornets added to the lead in the second quarter as senior quarterback Chad Head scored from a yard out with 2:27 remaining. Cedillo nailed the PAT good for the 16-7 lead.

With 17 seconds remaining, Robinson quarterback Michael Davilla found Rickey Thompson for a 5-yard touchdown. Travon Fuller blocked the PAT, and Athens led 16-13 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Athens scored its final touchdown as Logan Fuller capped off a drive with a 4-yard touchdown plunge.

Travon Fuller finished with 10 carries for 95 yards for the Hornets. Head lead the Hornets in passing as he finished 3 of 6 for 52 yards -- all to Travon Fuller.