HAWTHORNE — It’s a rainy Florida afternoon, but practice must go on for the Hawthorne Hornets football team. If they’re wearing pads, every one begins the same – circle drills focused on contact.
“It gets your blood flowing,” Hawthorne coach Cornelius Ingram said Tuesday.
The former University of Florida player returned to his roots to coach the Alachua County team after he resigned in January, but returned to his alma mater 43 days later.
Ingram implements his experiences from the collegiate and professional level in his work with the players. Like the circle drill, which he learned from former Florida coach Urban Meyer.
But not every practice can be exactly the same. Changes need to be made from week to week to ensure improvement.
Hawthorne holds a 2-0 record entering its third week of play and its next opponent is the 0-2 Brooksville Hernando Leopards.
While the record itself may predict continued success, the details show close point differentials.
The team’s season opener was something sure to get fans excited for football’s return. Hawthorne and Orlando Bishop Moore entered overtime after a 22-22 regulation tie in the Aug. 21 opener. The win was decided by a Hawthorne touchdown.
Game 2 held a similar close theme, not in points on the board, but lack thereof. The Hornets edged the Newberry Panthers, 8-0.
Hawthorne’s defense has been the primary contributor to this success. Specifically, safety and wide receiver Maverick Jones, who had two interceptions against Newberry.
“I hope we just carry that into Friday, by just doing the same thing, just doing my job, playing my role in the defense, not trying to overplay anything, just being calm, collected back there and just making plays.” Jones said.
The junior’s impact on the team has not gone unnoticed outside the locker room. He has already received offers from Division I schools like Ole Miss, Wake Forest, Bethune-Cookman, the University of Las Vegas and Marshall.
The defense is holding its own on the field, but the offense is where adjustments can be made to widen the point margin. Ingram is hopeful that a change will come this week.
“We’ll almost be full strength for the first time this season, so I’m expecting to be explosive on offense,” Ingram said..
Injured players were an obstacle early on. Inserting these athletes back into plays for the upcoming game may be just what the offense needs to get the ball down the field. And, do so without collecting penalties.
Ingram is also putting emphasis on offensive line blocking to open up the run game. The adjustment may be just what they need to put more points on the board.
Change is necessary to ensure a larger lead for Hawthorne in this week’s game. But, similar to the circle drills, Ingram likes to keep some things consistent.
“Every game for us is a state championship,” said Ingram, whose team wears the bull’s eye after winning three state titles.
Hawthorne will host Hernando at 7:30 p.m. Friday for its next “state championship.”
