The Hiram Hornets had a season to remember in 2009, going undefeated in the regular season, beating Dalton for the Region Championship and making a run into the second round of the state playoffs. But Coach Andy Dorsey doesn’t see last season as an aberration, rather something to build on for the 2010 campaign.

“My goal since I have been here is to become one of those respected football programs in the state, a big name team. We come out here with the goal of winning every football game,” he said.

A repeat of last year’s undefeated region championship season will be much harder this season with a schedule tougher than nails. The Hornets will face three standout players within their sub-region in Chris Conley (North Paulding), Brian Randolph (Kell), and Thomas O’Reilly (Pope).

“Some people say it is the toughest sub-region in the state this season, so for someone to get out of here undefeated is going to be a tough,” explained Dorsey.

Hiram had their first taste of live action in an exhibition against Harrison Aug. 13. The team lost 17-13 but Dorsey drew a lot of positives from the game.

“There were some good things and bad things, but like I told the kids we weren’t scrimmaging a cupcake team, they are a traditional powerhouse in the state,” said Dorsey, “Defensively we played pretty well…out of position a few times which led to a few explosive runs…but overall I was pretty satisfied,” he continued.

On the offensive side of the ball the Hornets return a boatload of firepower from a 2009 team that averaged 30.7 points per game. Quarterback Jared McClain returns to run the offense along with fullback Charlie Sashington, and running backs Trey Wesley and Javon Simon in the backfield.

On the outside Dorsey saw good things in the scrimmage from his receivers. “I was really proud of Ethan Slate, Trey Hendrix, and Davien Ryan — who are replacing Dylan Cook off last year’s team — they all played well.”

The Hornets open the regular season with a home game against Douglas County from the southern sub-region of 5AAAA.

“They are a team that we don’t know a whole bunch about, we’re going to go watch them play in their scrimmage Friday Night and we’ll know a lot more after that,” said Dorsey.

The Tigers of Douglas County went 5-5 last season.

In other football action, after an impressive 42-13 scrimmage victory over Chapel Hill, East Paulding will open its regular season by playing host to South Paulding. Paulding County will travel to North Paulding Friday night.