2021- There’s no question that last season was very different for the Trojans football team. After three seasons in which everything went right, they gave up more yards and struggled to score in games. The schedule may have had something to do with it as North Hardin faced two eventual state champions and one state runner-up and it showed with a slightly different team. Still, despite losing a virtual All-Star team (many are now playing on Saturday’s), coach Brent Thompson got North Hardin battle tested and they did advance to the third round of the playoffs after wins over Meade County and Central Hardin. This season’s team will look different as well, but there should be plenty of skill players to go around to make it a successful season.
Offense- Manie Wimberly had a great comeback season fully recovered from a broken ankle the previous season suffered in baseball and threw for over 1,676-yards and 15-TDS. The next question is who will play quarterback. Senior Jaylen Thorpe may be a possible replacement. The running game featured Kye Boyd (921-yards-7-TDS) and the passing game saw senior Shaun Boykins (30-catches for 387-yards and 5-TDS) with Queshaun Davis gone. Senior Shawn Rose also had 17-catches for 312-yards and 4-TDS. The Offensive Line lost Bailey Groff and Tysen Davis, but will return Tre Alexander (who’s getting plenty of looks by D-1 scouts), Demoni Taylor and Thompson may have Dasliaun Perry in the mix. The offense scored 268 last season, but much of that was early as the team struggled with new players. That should change in 2022.
Kicking game- With Cayden Logsdon gone (27-of-32 PATs and 5-of-7 field goals), Jabari Rasheed, who was primarily a kickoff guy may be employed as the field goal kicker.
Defense- Perhaps nowhere was the graduation of so many skill players felt than on the defense as they gave up 301-points and more yardage on the ground (1,786 in 2022 compared to 862 in 2020) than ever before. The defense did get better as the season went on and Thompson will look to plug some more holes. The Defensive Line will lose Luke Chadborne and Ethan Rice, but will return Cameron Reese. The Linebackers will return Jujuan Williams, who led the team in interceptions (3) and A J Rugerio along with Darius Wiley. The secondary lost Micah Parmes and Elijah Palmer, but will return Mason Howard and Jalen Alfonso.
Summation- Last season was a true transition year for Thompson and the Trojans, yet despite the low win total, they still managed to play for a Region title again for the fourth straight season. There should be plenty of skill players for a repeat, but the schedule is pretty tough and the development of the newer guys including Quarterback will depend a lot on the team’s continued success.
Schedule- The Trojans will begin the 2022 season @WKU on August 20th against Bowling Green (6-6) and then on the road @DeSales (2-9). North Hardin will come home for two straight against DuPont Manuel (8-4) and then Apollo (6-5) before traveling to John Hardin (7-6), Boyle County (14-1) and then Meade County (2-9). A home game against Barren County (3-8) and then Central Hardin (8-4) before traveling to Ballard (8-4). In all, the Trojans will face six teams with winning records in 2021.
