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November 5, 2009

ATHENS (4-5, 3-1) at BROWNSBORO (7-1, 3-1): Heavyweight battle

With playoffs settled, District 20-3A title up for grabs

By Jayson Larson Sports Editor

Stop if you’ve heard this one before: Athens and Brownsboro will meet in the final week of the regular season with a huge reward on the line.

That storyline has played out for the past three seasons, but this year is a little different. For the first time in the last three meetings, a playoff spot isn’t on the line. Both teams took care of that last week — Athens (4-5, 3-1) with a 29-14 upset win over then-district leader Palestine, and Brownsboro (7-1, 3-1) with a 41-40 overtime win over Crockett.

All that rests on the line this time is a district title — and that is plenty to fire up both teams.

Athens Head Coach Paul Essary says a Hornet win over Brownsboro would give his team the outright District 20-3A championship. A Palestine win over Palestine Westwood Friday would leave Athens and Palestine tied atop the district standings, but Essary says the Hornets would consider themselves the champs since they beat Palestine head-to-head.

“It’s a good opportunity,” Essary said. “This is something that can be a memory for the rest of the kids’ lives. But most importantly, it’s a chance for us to win another ballgame and it’s one more game for us to get ready for the playoffs.”

Brownsboro is in the same boat. A win over Athens would leave the Bears atop the standings, with only Palestine there to possibly finish in a tie. Palestine beat Brownsboro in their head-to-head matchup earlier this season.

“Brownsboro and Athens games, since I’ve been here and even though we’ve got the best of them, have been tough, physical games,” Brownsboro Head Coach John Settle said. “I just hope we can play well and hold up our end of the bargain.”

Settle says Athens likely has the best defense Brownsboro has played all season. The numbers would support that claim.

The Hornets have 29 sacks this season and have held their four district opponents to an average of 12.2 points per game. All five of their interceptions have come in district play.

Brownsboro will throw any number of weapons at that defense, including four-year starter and running back Cameron Warren (1,031 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns, one fumble) and the two-headed quarterback combo of Zach Bailey (896 yards passing, 9 TDs, 0 INT) and Ryan Owens (610-7-3).

The Bears, who completed passes to nine players last week, have eight receivers with at least one TD catch.

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