2024 Record – 9-3
Head Coach – Doug Preston
2024: After struggling with a younger team going from 2-9 in 2022 to 4-7 in 2023, the Bulldogs grewup fast and put together a nine win season including a win in the playoffs around a powerful running game and a brutal defense. Preston will return an experienced squad this season with higher expectations in November.
Offense: The Bulldogs don’t make a secret what they like to do on offense as they ran the ball for 4,737-yds while scoring 56-touchdowns on the ground. Preston’s offense will feature one of the top runners in the state in Cavalli Pittman, who ran for 3,174-yds and 40-TDs. With TJ Willimas and MJ Hayes gone, the next guy up behind Pittman will be Laysen Anderson. Austin Richardson will be running the offense under center and although he attempted only 55-passes, he does a marvelous job for Preston. The top receiver was Junior DJ Hightower with 10 catches. The Offensive Line is experienced and powerful with seniors Tristan Goodman, Kenderick Daugherty and Ethan Latham. Junior Elijah Cato and Sophomore Kaysin Cato.
Kicking: Ashton Russell did a great job connecting on 33-34 PATS and 2-of-2 Field goals and most likely will be back again.
Defense: The defense was even better in 2024 allowing just 237-points and were very good against the run just letting opposing runners gain 1,457-yards. There will be some changes as the leading tackler is gone, but Preston will fill some holes with seniors BJ Stewart and Noah Bowling. The defense is overall a little younger with juniors Elijah Luna, Adrian Lunsford, Zaireon Cox, Chris Hilton, DJ Hightower, Alex White and Keazyn Turner. Sophomore Kaysin Cato will also see plenty of time on the field for a defense that recovered 11-fumbles, intercepted 4-passes and sacked the Quarterback 11-times.
Schedule: The Bulldogs will kickoff on the road at Hancock County (8-3), then a special Thursday night game at home against Seneca (5-6). A road game at September at Bardstown (9-4), before coming home for thwo straight against Fairdale (2-8) and then Marion County (5-6) before a road trip to Nelson County (2-9). The Bulldogs will travel to Bethlehem (5-6) to start October and then at Taylor County (2-9) before coming home to Elizabethtown (4-7) and then against Mercer County (7-5). John Hardin will face three teams with winning records.
Summation: After a fine first season at John Hardin, Preston found himself in the middle of a major rebuilding project while asking the fans to be patient. It has finally paid off and this season should be even better with this year’s schedule.