Hooks finding groove
HOOKS, Texas—Hooks is on the rise.
After a disappointing 0-2 start, the Hornets have worked back to a
2-2 record with wins over Queen City and Cooper.
“We are close to establishing our identity,” Hooks head coach Chris Birdwell said. “We finally have our two running backs going. Mason Vasquez was having to play linebacker and tailback; it was wearing him out. Jack Dedner, our other running back, came back after missing the first two games. We rotated Jack and Mason and that helped us out on both sides of the ball.”
Vasquez has rushed for a team-high 447 yards on 64 carries—an average of 7.0 per touch—and has scored eight touchdowns. He is the second leading tackler on the team with 37 stops and has an interception.
In just two games, Dedner has 278 rushing yards on 36 totes for an average of 7.7 per carry.
“We have our third offensive coordinator in as many years with coach Todd Ledford, and the kids are learning coach Ledford and what he wants to do,” Birdwell said. “The more time he has with them, the better and better our offense will get.
“Playing better defense has helped us too. We are able to get off the field quicker and get the offense back on.”
Connor Price is the senior starting quarterback and has connected on 37 of 79 throws for 548 yards and five TDs for the Hornets, who are open this week.
“I felt like we were really close to being 4-0,” Birdwell said. “In the game against Linden-Kildare, we thought we had a touchdown, but it ended up being a score for L-K. We kinda let the Paul Pewitt game slip away from us. I am pleased with where we are at but not pleased with our record.”
Against Cooper, the Hornets had four, three-year starters who were out. C.J. Huey has stepped up to help fill the void on the offensive and defensive lines. Two cornerbacks have stepped up in Jacob Mahar and Leonard Brice. Benji Johnson has filled in for Shamar Jefferson at safety.
“We’ve had to fill in at some positions, and the players have done a great job in stepping up,” Birdwell said. “It will help us down the road, and it builds depth.
“In this bye week, we watched film on Monday and gave the kids off Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, we’ll have normal practice. Redwater is a familiar opponent; they know what we’re gonna do, and we know what they’re gonna do. We will cut down just a little bit in order to get the players healthy.”
Hooks (2-2) opens up District 7-3A play on Oct. 5 as it hosts Redwater at 7:30 p.m.