The North Hardin Trojans have not had a problem scoring points the past several years and there are a multiple weapons for head coach Brent Thompson at his disposal, but the main guy in the running game has been Lavell Wright. For the past four seasons, Wright has been a mixture of power and speed in the Trojan offense and just adds to an already dangerous attack. In his freshman season back in 2017, Wright carried 121-times for 377-yards and three-touchdowns during a 3-8 season. The following year, the Trojans started to make their move with a group that was a year older and smarter and in a 9-3 season, Wright carried 178-times for 1,316-yards and 17-touchdowns. 2019 was the season that everything came together for North Hardin. The Trojans offense put up 459-points in fourteen games and went into their Final Four playoff game against Trinity with a 13-0 record despite playing a new quarterback. Wright had a superb year running for 1,819-yards and 25-touchdowns and caught 34-passes for 553-yards and three more sixes.
The junior power back was becoming the interest of D-1 college recruiters and he announced that the University of Kentucky would be his next destination for football. Coming into the 2020 season, expectations were even higher for the Trojans and Wright. Despite the loss of so many defensive skill players and the unpredictability of the upcoming season due to the pandemic, the Trojans come out on fire going 7-0 during the regular season and Wright played a huge role in North Hardin’s big wins over Frederick Douglas and Belfry on the road making game saving plays setting up the team for late scores. Unfortunately, Wright’s season came to a thunderous halt during their 23-0 win over Central Hardin in week seven. Although, he carried 20-times for 151-yards and a touchdown, Wright injured his foot late in the game and was lost for the next several weeks. Once the playoffs started, sophomore David Boyd stepped in and did a marvelous job at running back, but by the Region Championship game against St. Xavier, Wright was still unavailable and the Trojans season came to an end, 16-9. Wright still had a stellar season carrying 127-times for 884-yards and 11-touchdowns and caught 27-passes for 278-yards and another six in just seven games. Because of his efforts, the KFCA voted Wright the District Player of the Year in District Two and will be on a lot of people’s All Star teams. Wright has totaled 4,396-yards in four seasons at North Hardin and scored 151-touchdowns. There is no question he will go down as one of the most talented players who ever wore a Trojans uniform and his future no matter where he is or what he does certainly looks bright and that is why he is the 2020-2021 The Sporting Times Co-Fall Athlete of the Year.
