Outlook- With one season under his belt, new coach Doug Preston did a great job remaking the Bulldogs. After coming off a 5-7 campaign in 2019 under Chris Engstrand, Preston turned John Hardin around almost immediately. Although they won as many games as they had the previous season, it was defensively that the change was evident and with a managable schedule this season, there could be more wins coming if things fall their way.
Running Back. Preston made no secret that the offense would be ball control heavy as John Hardin would only go to the air about 50-times and the Offensive Line played a key part in the team’s success. After struggling to score just seven points in the first two games of the 2020 season, the Bulldogs would average nearly 40-points in their next five games. Kadon Wilson is gone, but Devon Rogers or Isaiah Harris may be the new guy under center this season. John Hardin pounded out 2,368-yards on the ground with much of that coming from Keyandee Strand (828-yds / 9-TDs). With Domink Hodges and Nick Surley gone, it’ll be up to Strand and senior back Isaiah Harris (547-yds/6-TDs) to carry the ball in the Wing T attack. Nygene Harrell, Freddy Arnold, Kevin McCroskey and Maurice Green will work for carries. Although the Bulldogs threw the ball infrequently, Jakarius Barnes led the team with five –catches. With his departure, Bruce Mills, Mekhi Hopkins and Quintin Clay will be targets for Bulldog passers as could tight end Kendall Brice. The OL will lose three starters, but Patrick Redmon, Makaveli Rosier, Nathan Masaniai, Chase Linton, Kobe Mitchell and DeVonte Yates should be part of the mix and Preston will develop several others to fill those spots. Solomon Bennett, Tre Brown, Seth Godbey, Damien Lyons and Dustin Berry will fight for time.
Kicking Game. Zach Owens had a great senior season going 27-of-29 for PAT’s and 2-for-3 with field goals. Junior Jake Owens will most likely be the starter.
Bulldog D. The best way to describe the John Hardin defense in 2020 was “Immovable.” In eight games (including playoffs), they shutout three opponents and never allowed anyone over twenty points all season. Their consistant pressure accounted for 34-quarterback sacks, 16-recovered fumbles, 10-interceptions and that total could go up in 2021 if it can be retooled. The DL will lose Braden Marble (1st in QB sacks with 8) and Jybarai Springs, but will return DeVonte Yates and Kendal Brice. Preston will also have to replace three linebackers (Domink Hodges, Nick Surley and Tishawn Moore are gone) as only Devon Rogers returns. Nygene Harrell, Keyandre Strand, Maurice Green, Andrew Carson, Solomon Bennett, Tyrese Perez and Kevin McCroskey could be the answer. The defensive backfield graduates Malakai Nation, Leeshawn Nailon and Isaiah Butler as only Kevin McCroskey returns. Devon Rogers, Mekhi Hopkins, Quintin Clay, Jabari Wilson, along with Freddy Arnold and Bruce Mills could start or be used in situation defenses.
Summation: It looks like Preston may have the Bulldogs right on schedule. The power running game and Defense helped last season’s team to a 5-3 record and if he can retool the defense and create a passing game with a new signal caller, then there is no reason to believe John Hardin couldn’t be better in 2021.
This schedule should help. John Hardin will open the new season at Glasgow on August 20th against LaRue County (4-3) in the Don Franklin Scottie Bowl and then will follow that up with a road trip to Bardstown (7-2) before coming home to start September against Elizabethtown (12-1) and then Central Hardin (1-5) before going to North Hardin (9-1) and then back home to face Valley (1-5) before their Bye week. October will have the Bulldogs on the road at Moore (1-4), then Marion County (1-4) before coming home to face Spencer County (5-4) and finishing the regular season at Meade County (4-6). In all, John Hardin will face only five teams with winning records the previous season and two (ET and NH) will be replacing multiple starters on both sides of the ball. They will also face four teams coming off one-win seasons, so this is a perfect schedule for an up and coming team.
