Hornets ready to roll in 2025

RAWSON –Eight days before Cory-Rawson was to open its season at Arcadia, Hornets coach Eric Heffner said there was an unmistakable excitement among his players and staff. "At the end of practice yesterday, we kind of brought it up," said Heffner, who is about to begin his second season as C-R's head coach. "We've kind of had a little countdown going, '10 days, 9 days, 8 days (until the opener),' and you can feel the excitement in this group. They're ready." Last year was a learning experience for Heffner and his staff. Cory-Rawson won its first game of the 2024 season, but then lost the next nine. It was difficult, to be sure, but it was also informative. "I would say the biggest thing, after the first year, is learning as coaches," Heffner said. "I think myself, my staff, we had a lot of things we could take away from last year and apply to this year. Just minor things, ways we can coach the kids up, ways to improve practice, and I think we're seeing a little bit better results this year." To continue getting better results, the coach said the Hornets will lean on their four seniors: Dean Williams, Levi Rutherford, Carson Reese and Eric Sierra. Williams is slated to be the team's quarterback and linebacker, while Rutherford will anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Reese returns and will be the team's cornerback, wide receiver and kicker. Sierra is injured, but when he returns will play receiver. "We're gonna let our seniors make some plays, and then we've still got some skill position players on the outside (like) Colin Sons," Heffner said. Sons, a sophomore, will play at wide receiver and defensive back. "We've got some young guys, some sophomores who we're hoping to get touches," Heffner said. On defense, Heffner said the Hornets will use four down linemen. "We're gonna run that and kind of let the opposing offenses dictate how we play defense," he said. . "Looking at our defensive backs, we'll have a couple young guys playing there. The big thing with young guys is, they need to improve every single day." Cory-Rawson has 27 names on its roster, and the coach said a number of players will be expected to play offense and defense. "Conditioning is a focal point. I think it's the same with any small school that you would ask," Heffner said. "We have to be conditioned, and it's something we take time out of each and every practice to make sure, because, we will have a handful of kids that are going to go both ways. "Playing a four quarter game and going both ways, it takes a lot," he said. "They have to be physically ready and mentally ready for that. That's something we're trying to get them prepared for before the Week 1 game. Heffner said the key to this season will be working to get better. "The way we challenge our players is priority and details and improving every day, every week," he said. "The theme is improving in every way we can, all the way to the minor details."