After two tough road losses versus championship-winning teams, the Harmony Grove Hornets (1-2) are looking forward to getting back to a winning streak as they start 3A Region 6 Conference play tonight.
Harmony Grove will host the Dollarway Cardinals (1-1) tonight. The Hornets defeated the Cardinals on the road 40-20 last season.
Dollarway utilizes an offense that runs like the Junction City Dragons, a team that Harmony Grove dominated at home 39-0 in week one. The Cardinals run a fast-paced offense that likes to run the ball through different sets and schemes. They are a team that makes defenders second-guess their decision-making process during a play. Dollarway has run the ball 81 times this season for 389 yards and one touchdown. They average 194.5 rushing yards per game in an offense that likes to wear down the opposing defense.
The front-seven of Harmony Grove will have another huge game against an offense that likes to aggressively run the football. Hornets senior middle linebacker Tobias Hicks averages 11 total tackles per game as he has accumulated 33 total tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks. Outside linebackers Jermaine Edwards and Daniel Hill are two dominant and consistent playmakers for Harmony Grove's defense. Senior nose guard Grant Bearden will have a huge game as he needs to be the anchor for the Hornets' defensive line by not getting pushed at the line of scrimmage. Harmony Grove's defense is looking to rebound significantly after giving up seven touchdowns to Harding Academy last week.
The biggest area for Harmony Grove to watch for is limiting offensive mistakes. Last week against Harding Academy, the offense turned the ball over four times, each eventually resulting in a touchdown for Harding Academy. The Hornets offense has shown signs that they can be explosive, as they have averaged 25.7 points per game this season.
This game against Dollarway will be a great opportunity to create a consistent rhythm on the offense. The Cardinals have one experienced and reliable playmaker in the secondary, while the rest of the team's players are still trying to find some consistency.
If Hornets quarterback Caleb Johnson can remain in the pocket, he can make some efficient throws to wide receivers Landon Garrett and Titus Lockhart. Garrett has been a highly efficient receiver in the deep passing game. Garrett caught six receptions for 139 yards last week against Harding Academy.
The Cardinals have solid players at the edge that Harmony Grove will need to be cautious of. Hornets senior left tackle Logan McCann will be tasked to protect Johnson's blindside. The Hornets' offensive line will need to be more efficient against blitzing linebackers in-between the tackles. Most of the pressure on Johnson comes from the interior offensive line that forced him out of the pocket. If Johnson can stay in the pocket, the Hornets could put points on the board consistently.