Azle displays football savvy in season-opening shutout

By Greg Bogomol

Special to the Star-Telegram

Azle's 42-0 victory over Burleson last week might have turned some heads in District 5-4A, but the result didn't come as a surprise to third-year coach Devon Dorris.

The Hornets who returned 10 offensive starters and six on defense, racked up 416 yards offense, led behind senior quarterback Corbyn Koiner. He accounted for 270 yards, 193 of those on 14 carries.

"Three years ago we started eight sophomores and now those sophomores are seniors," Dorris said. It's just a matter of us being a lot more seasoned, but don't get me wrong we still have a long way to go."

While Dorris says Koiner is the decision-maker, he thinks they have a hidden gem in senior running back Hunter McDonald, who started on defense last season. McDonald saw just a little action on offense in 2011, rushing for 300 yards. He picked up 100 in the season opener.

"We think Hunter's going to be something special," Dorris said. "This year we are able to focus and keep him on offense, because it's the first time we've had enough talent on defense as long as we stay healthy."

The Hornets, who went 4-6 last year, have also changed their offense this season to fit their personal better according to Dorris. They are now running the pistol look with one back in the backfield instead of the traditional two.

"Myself and the offensive staff spent three days at the University of Nevada looking at to try to put it into place," Dorris said. "We feel that this offense is what fits this year's team the best. This isn't to say we won't change to something else that fits us better next year."

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