The question of the night will be, can the Jags offense move the ball against "those filthy animals!"

Definite contrast of styles if this years Bears are your typical Larkey team. Again, haven't seen them this year, but would imagine that they play the same or a very similar style; however, looking at some of Harlan's scores, it looks like they've been in some shootouts this year as well (Tates Creek @ Station, Bell @ home). Should be an interesting game, definitely one of the games I'll be keeping my eye on this week.

 

Playing at home will be an advantage for Harlan. I know their field is turf (and most players will probably be thankful for that considering the layers of rock beneath the field). I'm not overly familiar with the high school facilities in NKY, will the turf be something that could throw Cooper off? Even if the turf doesn't factor in, the distance traveled and winding roads up and down the mountains can be draining. I haven't had the opportunity to see Harlan's new facilities in person, but everyone I've spoke with whose made the trip out rave about them. Below is a link describing what went into the complex.

 

Former coal company owner donates $1 million to Harlan County Central | Business | Kentucky.com

 

Turf WILL NOT throw Cooper off. In fact the Jags love turf because it makes them even faster.

 

TURF GAMES this season:

 

Holy Cross (@SK) 49-0

South Oldham #1 21-14

Dixie 36-13

South Oldham #2 49-28

 

Given that Coopers has basically played and practiced all season on nothing than dirt fields this is a blessing to play on turf and a brand new facility. Another challenge of course but the team is focused and taking nothing for granted. This team has gotten accustom to traveling on the road and yes I realize that this trip is very very long which is why they are leaving early. No locker room will not phase this team and they will just adjust and go there and play FOOTBALL.

If Larkey still coaches the same as he used to, expect a physical defense and lots of blitzes on defense and a big, strong line trying to control the line of scrimmage at the point of attack in the run game offensively. Unless something has changed (from past years... haven't seen Harlan this year but have seen enough Larkey coached teams before), Harlan should be a real lunchpail type team.

 

How will Cooper play? I'm not very familiar with them. What do they bring athletically? What are some of their strengths and weaknesses?

 

They will play the same way they have played against opponents that were bigger than them which was several teams this season. Cooper's "Bigs" are athletic with very little body fat at all and are very quick off the ball. If you read the quote from the FC coach after the game he clearly stated that the difference in the game was Cooper's line and their athletism. Playing HC will be just like playing BC all over again, run, run, run behind a HUGE offensive line, which quite frankly is bigger than Boone Co. If Cooper doesn't establish the run they WILL throw the ball to their athletes on the outside (Morgan, Brooks, Fussinger and crew).

 

This will be a classic clash of size vs. speed.

After seeing both in person this year, I am leaning towards Harlan County. I was at the Cooper Franklin game and I was very impressed with how Cooper played on the defensive side of the ball. They had the type of Defensive back skill kids to run with Franklin and make them earn their offense instead of getting big chunks. Harlan is also a team that can put up big points on just about anyone. Harlan can score a lot of points and I would expect Harlan to score in the 24-28 range on Cooper. Cooper is kind of a small team up front and Harlan has some big boys especially in their backfield. Big and can run. #52 is a monster for Harlan at blocking and especially at Linebacker. I would think at some point Cooper will have to go to a more passing attack to beat Harlan because running their fullback and quarterback will be hard on Harlan. They will not run up and down the field on Harlan like they did Franklin.

 

My score is 28-21 Harlan County.

Yea, the more I learn about Harlan Co. the more you could be right on this prediction.

 

They have a beast of a RB that I think has over 2600 yards rushing.

 

They are a school that is new, but had a huge advantage, unlike Cooper who opened in a area that already had 3 other Hs's competing for players, Harlan Co. was formed when 3 schools in the county closed and all merged into the new school Harlan Co.

They aren't hurting for athletes.

It would be like Boone Co, Conner and Ryle all closing and Cooper opening and taking all the players from those 3 schools and merging them into one. That would be pretty sweet. If that were the case I think Highlands would have trouble beating the combined Boone Co schools.

 

Yea...and that school would be about twice as big as the next largest school in the state! I hope they'd be good!

After seeing both in person this year, I am leaning towards Harlan County. I was at the Cooper Franklin game and I was very impressed with how Cooper played on the defensive side of the ball. They had the type of Defensive back skill kids to run with Franklin and make them earn their offense instead of getting big chunks. Harlan is also a team that can put up big points on just about anyone. Harlan can score a lot of points and I would expect Harlan to score in the 24-28 range on Cooper. Cooper is kind of a small team up front and Harlan has some big boys especially in their backfield. Big and can run. #52 is a monster for Harlan at blocking and especially at Linebacker. I would think at some point Cooper will have to go to a more passing attack to beat Harlan because running their fullback and quarterback will be hard on Harlan. They will not run up and down the field on Harlan like they did Franklin.

 

My score is 28-21 Harlan County.

 

 

 

I will give it to you that #52 is a monster but I would put #21 from FC at 6'2" 260 ahead of him as a better runner and receiver and 40lbs. heavier and Cooper held him in check. No disrespect to #52 as he is good but the FC kid is a bigger load. HC is big but so was just about everyone else that Cooper has faced. Cooper will not overpower any team but they do play together as a unit and has some very good skill kids. Should be an interesting game but Cooper has faced 3 teams nearly identical size wise in Ryle, Boone Co. and Campbell Co. and just went out and played team ball to get the job done.

 

My only prediction is Cooper will show up and play football the way they have all season.

Harlan County to put in new wrinkles for Cooper

Where is this game being played? If it is in Harlan then good luck to Cooper. The bus ride is worth a TD for home team. Harlan will be jacked and ready to avenge their loss a couple years ago to HHS and be able host another NKY team. Fun place to visit though on a friday night. Go Jags!

I know Harlen Co. is a realitivly new school. What schools consolidated to form this school?

I know Harlen Co. is a realitivly new school. What schools consolidated to form this school?

Evarts, Cawood, and Cumberland.

Good Luck Jags!