FOOTBALL: Hornets Enjoying Open, Not Off Week

With the start of league play just around the corner, Gatesville High is taking advantage of an open week before its next outing. The Hornets are scaling back some during the bye week, which comes at the midway point of the 2014 campaign. "We are easing up on things a little," explained GHS coach Kyle Cooper. "During the week, we will have less time on the field and a lot less on-field contact. We are still getting a lot of necessary things done...it's an open week not an off week." Cooper said the focus this week has been more on fundamentals and getting prepared for La Vega, the Hornets' next opponent in the District 13-4A opener October 10. "We want to have a great understanding of La Vega, both as a team and a staff," he mentioned. The district opener at La Vega a week from Friday will be the first of five 13-4A assignments for GHS, which hopes to snatch one of the league's four playoff berths come November. The district has been showing its muscle through the first weeks of this season. Three teams - Burnet, Robinson and Lampasas - are all 4-1, China Spring 3-2, La Vega 1-4. "It's going to be a dogfight every Friday night," he said. "Honestly, I'm not sure any of the six teams get through unscathed from district play. I think any team can beat the others on any given night." Cooper is hoping the Hornets' early-season schedule in non-district play pays dividends during the next five weeks. That 5-game stretch included losses to No. 5 Stephenville, undefeated West and a strong Waco Connally team. "No doubt playing those caliber of teams early on gets you prepared for the rest of the way," he said. "In the end though, the team with the best focus and execution each week is going to handle the load that awaits them the rest of the regular season."