Outlook: The last three seasons have been storybook for the North Hardin football team. For the second straight season, the Trojans were undefeated during the 2020 season, but this time around the Trojans put together several signature wins both on the road against Frederick Douglas and Belfry. Despite the loss of multiple defensive stars, head coach Brent Thompson was able to prove that 2019 was no FLUKE. The biggest question now is “What Next?” Offensively and Defensively, North Hardin will have to replace several key starters and if they can do so will be a few steps away from hopefully reaching the final level that has so escaped them the past three years.
It’s Manie’s Time. 2020 was a perfect showcase for the Trojan offense which utilized the talents of a powerful offensive line and the running of star back Lavell Wright. North had three wideouts that produced 1,419-yards on 124-catches for 12-touchdowns by Marcus Harris, Camron Smith and Jalen Sharps. Wright was also a dangerous receiver and difficult to bring down as his big play runs set up winning scores against Frederick Douglas and Belfry. With those four gone, Thompson will look to develop replacements. When Wright went down with foot injury late in the season, David Boyd stepped in and gained 246-yards and scored twice. He and sophomore Alex White will move into the tailback spots along with Kye Boyd. Senior Manie Wimberly will return as the starting signal caller and after throwing for 1,512-yards and 14-TDs with just 2-interceptions. Wimberly will be throwing to a different group of wideouts with his top four targets gone. Juniors Shawn Rose and David Boyd are the only returnees with catches last season. Shaun Boykins, Skylar Coffey, Devin Sealey and QueShaun Davis will get minutes on the field. The Offensive Line will return Bailey Groft and Thompson will look to develop replacements. Tre Alexander is getting plenty of looks on the recruiting trail. Demoni Taylor, Chandler Webb and Tysen Davis will move in.
Still pretty Defensive. Despite losing an entire All Star team on the defensive side from the 2019 team, Thompson’s defense still made quite an impressive in a shortened season allowing just 72-points (as to 151 in 14-games). Although the Trojan defense appeared to have many new faces, quite a few had played the previous season, but had expanded roles in 2020. The Defensive Line featured Landyn Reed, AJ Rugerio and Chandler Webb and the push from the line helped produce just 862-yards allowed rushing. Cameron Reese, Luke Chadborne and Ethan Rice (transfer from Marion) will get some reps. The Line, Linebackers and D-Backs were responsible for 23-quarterback sacks and quarterback pressure forced 13-interceptions. With Reed gone, Thompson will look for several lineman to step in. Micheal Lunz was an imposing force in the Middle and led the team in tackles with 140. He was also an offensive threat catching two touchdown passes as well. Joel Cruz (59-Tackles) and Xavier Williams (47-tackles) also had a nose to the ball carrier. With those three gone, the interior defense will look different as well. Jujuan Williams and Alex White should move in. The secondary was led by Jordan Lovett, Micah Parmes, Devonte Jordan-Lemafa, Elijah Banks and Elijah Palmer. Only Parmes and Palmer will be back, so Thompson will look to regroup there as well. Jalen Alfonso will play as well.
Kicking game. Both Cayden Logsdon and Jabari Rasheed had a great year kicking and between the two were 30-of-36 on PAT and 6-of-7 on field goals. Logsdon kicked the game winner against Frederick Douglas and the game winning PAT against Belfry, while Rasheed had a 43-yarder against St. Xavier in the playoffs.
Summation: The hardest thing to do in sports, regardless of the level is maintaining a long range period of excellence. The Trojans have won 31-games the past three seasons and whether they can continue that streak will depend on Thompson’s ability to find replacements. The 2020 Trojans were a prime example of that and the team didn’t miss a beat. With a tougher schedule and a new cast of characters, 2021 should be anything but boring in Radcliff, Ky for the Blue and White.
2021 will test the Trojans again. Last season, North went on the road to play Frederick Douglas and Belfry to test his team. This season, the schedule is just as tough with a a 3-A titan DeSales (3-3), a 4-A powerhouse John Hardin (5-3) and several 6-A opponents in DuPont Manuel (3-2), Apollo (4-4) and Ballard (2-2) along with District foes Central Hardin (1-5), Meade County (4-6) and Barren County (2-6) which look to be very improved. It would be quite a stretch for the Trojans to run the table again in the regular season, but a challenge is something Thompson looks for in his team and this season will be a good schedule to test them again.
