2023 Record: 7-6
Head Coach: Phillip Stockdale
2023 Season: After taking the Bruins to a 7-6 record last season, longtime coach Tim Mattingly stepped down after building a great program and a trip to the Final Four in Class 6-A several years back. Last season, Central Hardin had a senior dominated squad and with new coach Phillip Stockdale taking over the Bruins will have a new look on offense and a lot of questions as to who will run throw and catch the ball as well.
Offense: The Bruins offense scored 335-points in thirteen games (down from 463 the previous season) and a lot of the guys who scored those points are also gone. Stockdale plans to run the Triple Option and with both quarterbacks from last season gone, it will be interesting on who will be under center. Both Zak Spurrier (864-yds 5-TDs and 6-int) and Caden Elmore (242-yds passing 4-TDs) will pretty consistent behind a running game built around Mason Gardner (1,042-yds 10-TDS), Walker Meredith (878-yds 7-TDs) and Spurrier (177-yds 4-TDs) and with the three gone, Jaxson Engstrand will be back and Stockdale will try to develop other backs for the offense. Engstrand is the only remaining pass catcher (20 for 304-yds and 3-TDs) with Meredith (26 for 281-yds 2-TDs), McKay and Noah Payton all gone. The Offensive Line, which was the staple of the attack will lose Logan Boling, Matt Withers and Zak Noe, but will return Grayson Decker and Carson LaMothe will be back and Stockdale will look for replacements and depth.
Kicking Game: Micah Chenault, who made 20-of-23 PATS and 2-of-3 field goals will be back.
Defense: The Defense did bend a little more last season allowing 274-points as opposed to 134 in 2022 and with six starters from defense and many were playmakers. The Defensive Line will lose Tucker Walters, but will return Carson LaMothe, Seth Laudermilt and Grayson Decker. The Linebackers will return Jaxson Engstrand, but will lose Noah Payton (had 7-QB sacks 1st), Brandon Lee and McKay Payton (who led the team in tackles with 69). The defensive backfield will lose a lot with Caden Elmore, Walker Meredith and Mason Gardner all gone leaving Jackson Rachau, so Stockdale will have to build a backfield from scratch. All told, the Bruins “D” sacked QBs 26 times and intercepted 12-passes.
Summation: Anytime you take over a program which has been rolling along, winning is almost expected immediately. Lawson started it, then Perry added on to it and Mattingly took it even farther. Stockdale will have to replace over half the skill starters on offense and defense as well, so it can be done, but instituting a different offensive set as well could mean some struggles early until they get settled.
