Barker loses first game after replacing legendary head coach

After one game, many of the same questions that surrounded the football team still remain for new head coach Leo Barker, as he not only looks to replace coach Tim McFarlin but one of the school’s most talented senior classes as well. The Hornets fell 32-21 to Tift County in their first contest of the new season on Friday night. Tift jumped on the Hornets early, building a 12-point lead by halftime. In the second half, new starting quarterback Brian Hickman seemed to have a better grasp of the offense, leading the team to 14 second-half points. But the defense was unable to keep Tift off the board, which led to the 11-point loss. On Friday, the Hornets will travel to Centennial High in a rematch of one of the most exciting games of last season. … A 3-0 victory over Walton on Thursday was the softball team’s third in a row and gave the Hornets a perfect 1-0 start to their region schedule. Pitching a shutout, senior Sidney Vlass led the team defensively, while Maci Laseter blasted a two-run double.