BRYANT, Ark. — This season isn't the first in Bryant for new Hornets head coach Quad Sanders.
He was the defensive coordinator last season under their previous coach Buck James, when Bryant went 12-0.
"I bet I got 500 calls from the kids as soon as Buck left, we feel like a family. They know I got their back and I know they've got mine." Sanders said.
"Everybody kind of thinks Coach James was the reason why we're winning, which he was a great coach, but Coach Sanders is doing a phenomenal job. He really brings a lot of energy to the team. He's a great coach, not many are better than him," Wide Receiver Cason Trickey said.
So far in 2023, Bryant has already used two quarterbacks, Jordan Walker and Jeremiah Motes in their preseason matchup against Pulaski Academy where the Hornets won 48-28.
Expect Bryant to be strong with their wide receivers and running backs, with all-state running back James Martin leading the charge. He rushed for 724 yards on 125 carries last year and had 18 touchdowns.
Defensively, expect the Hornets to be stronger in the secondary.
Now with Bryant winning the past five titles, some might feel pressured, but not the Hornets, They're feeling motivated.
"A lot of energy and we want to play we want to play really hard because we just have like a chip on our shoulder. We want to play really well and prove everybody wrong," Bryant senior center Matthew Elder said.
Bryant will open up the season on August 26 at the Salt Bowl against Benton at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.