HONAKER – From when Honaker walked off Nelson Memorial Field after a 38-20 playoff loss to Grundy on November 11, 2022, expectations were high for the 2023 season. So far, they haven’t disappointed. The Tigers are off to a fast start, winning their first six games for the first time since 2014.
“We saw that there was light at the end of the tunnel last year, we had a lot coming back,” second-year Honaker coach Todd Tiller said. “I don’t want to say this start has been expected, but it’s been what we had hoped for. Everything has gone well, and the kids are improving each week.”
In football, things often start with the quarterback, and Honaker has been no exception. Junior signal-caller Peyton Musick and a host of talented receivers have bombed the opposition into submission. Honaker is averaging 48 while allowing only 14 points a game. “Air Raid,” as they call their offense, has been a recipe for success.
Musick is off to an incredible start. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound quarterback is just an excellent athlete, he also excels on the basketball floor. Musick is 91-of-153 through the air, completing 59 percent of his passes for 1,530 yards with 26 touchdowns and no interceptions.
“I knew Peyton was capable, but those stats after six games, seem more like stats after a 10-game season,” commented Tiller. “Most kids in 10 games don’t have those stats. Peyton has done a great job. The thing that stands out the most…zero interceptions. I don’t want to jinx him, but through six games, he’s done a great job of making the right decisions and not getting himself into trouble.
“Peyton knows when to escape the pocket and make plays with his feet. I can’t say enough about how he’s grown this past year and become the leader that he is. Peyton is an excellent young man and football player.”
Peyton likes the view, with Honaker sitting atop the district, region, and state standings.
“It’s amazing, we’ve all worked hard for it, and this is where we have wanted to be since the start of the season,” Musick said. “I think this started with a lot of summer workouts, I came up here every day with receivers, linemen, just whoever wanted to come out. We worked out and did everything we could to get better.”
Another factor in the Tiger’s success can’t be understated: 14 seniors are on the roster. One of those seniors is Aidan Lowe, who leads the Tigers in all-purpose yardage.
“There’s really no better feeling,” remarked Lowe. “I’ve never experienced this in my whole career in football at Honaker. It’s great to be on top for once, there’s no feeling like it. We don’t want to get too high-headed about it, we want to stay level.”
The leadership provided by the veterans isn’t lost on Tiller.
“It’s not just the seniors that start on offense or defense,” Tiller said. “Our scout team guys are great teammates that come every day, bust their butts, and support what we’re doing. They’re energetic and love it. Having those guys there has been a huge thing for us in practice.”
With such a large senior class, is there pressure to succeed?
“There’s definitely pressure on us,” Lowe said. “You want to help keep your team afloat and be a leader to the younger guys and help keep them focused.”
It’s a different mindset when you know it’s your final year.
“Everything means so much more,” said Lowe. “You’re not going to be able to do this again in the orange and black like I have the past four years.”
Lowe returns punts and kicks. He leads Honaker’s rushing attack with 480 yards, averaging over 10 yards a carry with four TDs. Lowe is also a capable receiver with 16 catches for 297 yards and three touchdowns.
“I couldn’t do anything without my teammates,” Lowe said. “Peyton is a great quarterback, he literally puts the ball anywhere I need it. The O-line has been awesome, I couldn’t do anything without them.”
Explosiveness comes from numerous places in the Honaker offense. Senior wideout Parker Bandy, who has 34 catches for 489 yards with nine TDs, has been the favorite target. Peyton’s brother, Avery Musick, has 17 catches for 386 yards with eight TDs in only four games. Avery was injured in the win over Holston but hopes to return in time for the playoffs.