[By Joe Elerson, Athens Daily Review]

ATHENS -- The Hornets went to the running game early and often again Friday night as 20 seniors played their last game at Bruce Field.

When the final horn sounded, Athens wrapped up the No. 2 seed in District 8-4A Division I play with a 52-28 victory over the Wills Point Tigers.

“I am very proud of coming out on top,” Athens coach Paul Essary said. “I am proud of our seniors to go out in their last home game at Bruce Field and for them to go out with a win. They will remember this for the rest of their lives.”

Travon Fuller takes off with Wills Points' Caden Bennett in pursuit in the second quarter of Friday's game at Bruce Field. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Travon Fuller takes off with Wills Points' Caden Bennett in pursuit in the second quarter of Friday's game at Bruce Field. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
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Junior Travon Fuller had a game to remember. He finished with six carries for 153 yards, scored four rushing touchdowns, recorded three interceptions, had a fumble recovery for a touchdown and blocked a field goal.

“If you ask Travon, he would be the first one to tell you he played his rear end off for the seniors,” Essary said. “He did what was asked of him from a team standpoint, and I am proud to have him on our team.”

Fuller had touchdown runs of five, 25, 51 and 75 yards. His 55-yard fumble return for a touchdown was the final score of the game.

The Hornets will open the bi-district round of the playoffs Friday against the Pittsburg Pirates. Pittsburg finished the season at 4-6 following a 29-20 loss to Quinlan Ford.

The game will be played at Mesquite's E.H. Hanby Stadium with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

“What you coach in Texas high school football is to get into the playoffs,” Essary said. “It is anybody's ball game once you get in the playoffs. We are 7-3 in the regular season, but it has no bearing next week. We have to win next week, so we are going to try and reach our goals.”

Wills Point opened the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run by Charles Smith with five minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

Athens' Andy Lugo brings down Wills Point quarterback Kaese Kosko for no gain in the Hornets' 58-28 win. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Athens' Andy Lugo brings down Wills Point quarterback Kaese Kosko for no gain in the Hornets' 58-28 win. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
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Following Fuller's 51-yard touchdown to tie the game, quarterback Chad Head found Grant Hirsch on a 30-yard touchdown reception for a 14-7 lead with 6:23 remaining in the first half.

The Hornets held a 21-7 lead at the half and teams traded scores in the third quarter. Wills Point scored on a five-yard touchdown by Marquise Crouch with 4:08 remaining. On the next possession, Fuller scored from 70-yards for a 27-14 lead with 3:45 left.

Wills Point once again cut into the deficit with Michael Hess one-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Following Fuller's third rushing touchdown from 25-yards out with 9:25 remaining, the Hornets took control of the game on the next possession.

Fuller picked off quarterback Kaese Kosko in the Athens end zone. Logan Fuller blasted his way for 80-yards and the 39-21 lead the next play.

Devin Hall capped off the Athens' offensive scoring with a 72-yard run with 1:27 remaining in the game.

Logan Fuller finished with 20 carries for 180 yards. Hall added 10 carries for 153 yards.

Athens' Travon Fuller and Devin Hall celebrate Fuller's fourth and final rushing touchdown in the Hornets' District 8-4A Division I finale. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Athens' Travon Fuller and Devin Hall celebrate Fuller's fourth and final rushing touchdown in the Hornets' District 8-4A Division I finale. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
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