The Case for Central Hardin Bruin Football
In three seasons under former Meade County coach Tim Mattingly, the Central Hardin football program has seen greater heights and even bigger expectations. The Bruins have won 30-games during that time and had their deepest penetration in the playoffs in 2015 when they made the Final Four of Class 6-A until falling to Male. The Bruins, despite losing several key starters at the skilled positions will still return a competitive team this season (7-starters on defense and 6-starters on offense) and several others will see substantial playing time.
The offense, despite injuries to several starters that required starting quarterback Reece Iler to play a backfield position allowing sophomore passer Jacob Hobbs to get some important playing time scored 384-points which was up from 366 the previous season. The running game which fuels the Wing T attack will feature fullback DeOnta Duncan and the passing game will revolve around throws to Noah Page and Eric Sylvas. Senior Garrett Hatfield, who can play D-Line as well will anchor the offensive line.
The defense, which is the pride and joy of the Bruins through the years allowed only 254 points in 12-games and should be just as stingy with junior Josh Volentine back and Hayden Polston along with Hatfield and Dylan Jenrette to build a strong D-Line. The linebackers will feature Jayce Chapman and Noah Page along with a secondary which helped force 20-turnovers (9-interceptions and 11-fumble recoveries).
Looking at the flow of last season’s team, they won their first three before dropping three straight (all to playoff bound teams) before rebounding to win their last five straight before dropping a tough overtime defeat to Ballard and the schedule didn’t do them any favors this time around either with games against Christian Academy of Louisville, John Hardin, South Warren, North Hardin and finally Ballard.
Central Hardin will face six teams with above .500 records and five with nine or more wins.
