Bristol Herald Courier | Tim Hayes | Photo Credit: Emily Ball
ANYONE'S GAME
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: 2025 Hogoheegee District preview capsules (plus MED member George Wythe)
The Honaker Tigers have not lost a Hogoheegee District football game since rejoining the league in the fall of 2023.
They will try to win their third straight district crown this season but must navigate a league that is shaping up to be very competitive.
Hogoheegee District Preseason Coaches Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Rural Retreat (3) 22
2. Honaker (2) 21
3. Chilhowie (1) 19
4. Patrick Henry 11
5. Northwood 9
6. Holston 8
Honaker Tigers Coach: Aaron Lowe 2024 record: 7-4
Key returners: Maddox Sykes, OL/DL, sr.; Avery Musick, WR/DB, sr. Kam Beavers, WR, jr.; Eli McGlothlin, RB/DE, sr.; Levi Honaker, WR, jr.; Keaton Smith, RB/LB, jr.
Promising newcomers: Parker Lowe, QB, fr.;Kameron Keen, WR/DB, fr.; Tyler Hubbard, WR/DB, fr.; Keaton Stilwell, OL/DL, fr; Peyton Duty, OL/DL, fr.
Key losses: Peyton Musick, QB; Jax Dye, WR/RB; Brayden Marsh, LB; Jacob Powers, OL
Outlook: Honaker lost one of the top quarterbacks in Southwest Virginia to graduation, but the Tigers still have one of the area’s best wide receivers/defensive backs in the fold.
Avery Musick, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior wide receiver, had 69 catches for 1,352 yards and scored 19 touchdowns a season ago, while also being a force in the defensive secondary.
Instead of catching passes from Peyton Musick – his older brother who is now on the roster at Emory & Henry University – Avery Musick will be snagging passes from new quarterback Parker Lowe, one of 18 freshmen on the roster.
Honaker repeated as Hogoheegee District champions in 2024. Aaron Lowe (Parker’s dad) took over as interim head coach for the final three games of 2024 after rookie boss Shane Wicks unexpectedly resigned.
That interim tag was removed from his name shortly after the season ended and it’s been business as usual for the Tigers.
The Tigers should once again be able to put up some points.
Levi Honaker, Kam Beavers, Tyler Hubbard Jeremiah Rose, Blair Clark and Kameron Keen are also expected to haul in receptions in Honaker’s Air Raid offense.
The Tigers can also run the ball if need be with Cole Morrison, Noah Schoonover, Malachi Gilbert, Eli McGlothlin and Keaton Smith providing depth in the backfield.