Atlanta seeks to become best version of itself

ATLANTA, Texas — Carbon can improve to become a piece of coal or a diamond.

Atlanta’s football team is digging deep and working hard to become the diamond. Rabbs’ head coach Matt McClure is striving to help the players get better each day.

“I think we have been improving in a lot of areas,” McClure said. “We have been improving with our offensive and defensive lines. Our running game has continued to improve. I think we have to continue to work and get better so that we can make the playoffs…and make a run.”

Running back Caleb Hamilton is

Atlanta (4-3, 2-1) plays at Mount Vernon (5-1, 1-1) at 7:30 p.m. today in a District 7-3A, Division I showdown.

Atlanta’s leading rusher with 675 yards on 66 carries. Hamilton has 10 rushing touchdowns and averages 10.2 yards per tote.

Dra Nelson is not far behind Hamilton as he has amassed 665 yards on 95 carries and seven TDs. Nelson averages seven yards per carry.

“We’ve had some issues with depth here and there,” McClure said. “We have been fairly healthy even though we’ve had some kids out with knee injuries. We have been practicing pretty well. The players did pretty well with our grade checks. We have to continue to do things well.”

Linebacker Connor Samples is one of the area’s top tacklers with 75 stops so far this season. Terunte Neal and Logan Shelton are tied for second on the team with 53 tackles apiece.

The Rabbs are looking to bounce back from a 32-29 loss against Hughes Springs last week in district play.

“We will see how well the kids will respond to adversity,” Atlanta’s head coach said. “The loss last week was not one that we were expecting. In the past, our kids have responded well to a loss. They usually respond well with their backs against the wall. I am looking forward to seeing how it transpires.”

The Rabbs (4-3, 2-1) play at Mount Vernon (5-1, 1-1) at 7:30 p.m. today in a District 7-3A, Division I showdown.

“The kids’ work ethic has been really good,” McClure said. “They have worked hard on the field, in the weight room and in the film room. I have been really pleased with how we work and prepare. We’ve seen a lot of offensive and defensive schemes, and our kids have done a good job of getting prepared for those.”