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"Eyan Williams, he's just a special kid," Martin said. "He's going to have perfect scores in the classroom. He's gonna do great things beyond high school, be a great college student. He's exceptionally smart. Him and his brother Reed are both super intelligent, super hard-work - ing kids. Eyan on top of that is an excep- tional athlete. He's a game changer on offense and I think that's where most people notice him. If it's third-and-10, we throw a jump ball everyone knows it's going to Eyan and he still gets it." Williams plays an outside linebacker position on defense. Junior Jessie Martinez also contributes offensively at running back and as the team's kicker. Freshman Cooper Mott also could play a role on offense, Martin said. On the offensive line, juniors Sawyer Sherrell, Anthony Perez and Gabe Leath - erman are all returning starters. "We're looking for leadership from them," Martin said. Sherrell plays a strong tackle, while Pe- rez is a strong guard and Leatherman is now a quick tackle after starting at center. The Hornets will rely on sophomore Reed Williams and two freshman, Khaleeal Penn and Cade Linn to help out on the offensive line. "We got a lot of faith in these fresh - men," Martin said. "All these guys, we've got a lot of faith in them." Williams and Linn are battling at center, while Linn can also play guard or tackle. Penn is penciled in at the quick guard spot. On the defensive line, Sherrell will play a strong end with Perez manning the nose and Penn a quick end. Leatherman can play all three of the positions in the Hornets' three-man front. Eyan Williams plays a strong-side line - backer spot after recording 61 total tack- les. Larmon and Trey Duncan will rotate some of the weakside linebacker spot. Pendry will man the Mike linebacker after finishing second on the team as a freshman with 81 total tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss in 2020. Mayberry, who had 52 total tackles, mans the Will linebacker with Linn and Mott providing depth at that spot. In the secondary, Odle, Martinez and Winfield are all returning starters. Win - field had 54 total tackles, while Martinez had two interceptions. Winfield and Odle will man the safeties and Martinez will lock down a corner. The Hornets' other corner spot is somewhat open, but sophomore Briar Mayberry has been impressive. Junior Bryan Minard and sophomore Tanner Revas also are in the mix at corner. The Hornets are scheduled to open the season Thursday, Sept. 2, at home against county rival Kansas. Last year's Battle of Delaware County was canceled because of covid-19 protocols. Tailgating decisions made easy HARPS H O M E T O W N F R E S H www.harpsfood.com gates.com Gates is there with the riGht product, in the riGht place, at the riGht time. driven by possibility. Good Luck Panthers! 2021 Football Preview Wednesday, August 25, 2021 n 23C Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Trey Duncan Stormy Odle Gabe Leatherman Asaskey Pendry Coach Austin Martin Sawyer Sherrell Stone Mayberry Eyan Williams HORNETS Continued from Page 22C