By pgwesleycrds

 

After the heart breaking 76 yard hook and latter by the Bowling Green Purples, first year Bulldog coach Chad Lewis and highly recruited defensive lineman Matt Elam are ready to compete for a 5A state championship. Coach Lewis, who has been defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs for 13 seasons, takes over for the living legend Mark Brown. "We are stressing fundamentals repetition, and proper technique", said coach Lewis. "This team needs to be sound fundamentally, use proper technique, and use repetition to perfect their skill. Things will then take care of themselves", he added. The 6'6 350 pound Elam looks to control both the defensive and offensive line this year. Elam has been recruited by several high profile Division 1 football teams including Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisville, Ohio State, Indiana, and Purdue. Elam has been working on his conditioning so he can play offensive tackle this year. "We have been practicing hard this year. We are going to get back to the State and try to bring home a title this year. We know were we want to go it's just getting there", Elam added

 

The defense of the Bulldogs returns seven players. "Our defense will hopefully get us off to a great start and hopefully our offense will catch up to help us have a successful season. Middle linebacker Chris Smith, strong safety Khalil Frazier, and free safety Dimitri Cooper will make solid contributions to this year's team. " We want or defense to live off turnovers and give our offense a short field to work with", said Lewis. Defense does win championships and the Bulldogs hope to prove that this year

 

The offense will return two starters.Senior quarterback Patrick Anderson who threw for over 2700 yards on last years squad and center Jared Givan return. Matt Elam is also going to be playing on the offensive line as well and is sure to make a tremendous impact in the trenches.

 

The Bulldog running attack will feature half backs Khalil Frazier, Josh Miller, and Elijah Smith. The full backs will be Chris Smith and Daquan Deville. They need to have a good year for the Bulldogs to take it to the next level.

 

It will be wide receiver by committee this year for the Bulldog offense. "We are going to need our guys to be possession receivers and move the chains", said Lewis. The Bulldogs return wide receivers Levonte Wilson, Zach Wagner, as well as Demitri Cooper. Special teams is a strength of the Bulldog team. Speed kicker DuWayne Drexler and punter Khalil Frazier return for the team.

 

 

Key Returning Players to Watch

 

OFFENSE-Patrick Anderson, C, Jared Givan, WR'S, Levonte Wilson, Zach Wagner, Dimitri Cooper, FB'S, Chris Smith, Dequan Deville, HB'S, Khalil Frazier, Josh Miller, and Elijah Smith. OT, Matt Elam

 

DEFENSE- DT,NT, Matt Elam, FS, Demitri Cooper, MLB, Chris Smith, SS, Khalil Frazier

Looks like John Hardin has another great team and I'm sure they are motivated. Coach Lewis was a great hire and will have his team ready. Hopefully, we will see a rematch with the Purples this year.

From the description, lots of key players going 2 ways. That may present problems against Highlands and other teams on their schedule / playoffs.

John will be very good this year again, but they will not have the depth they have had in recent years. Patrick Anderson may also play defensive back along with being their starting QB unless someone else can develop quickly and take that role. I have watched a few practices and the defense is going to be very good and their offense will come along eventually. They have very good running backs and really good full backs but so far, they don't appear to have a go to wide receiver like they did last year. Their offensive line is the big mystery for me and I am very curious to see how they develop this year.

Lots of proven experienced players on this team. Defense shouldn't miss a beat from years past. Offense has a lot of holes to fill. O-line, WR, RB are the question marks going into the season. John has always produced outstanding backs to carry the brunt of the offense. According to Hoss403 the tradition should continue this season. Several players will have to play both sides of the ball. If everyone can stay healthy I expect an 8-2 record and another trip to Bowling Green to face the purples at semi state.

Lots of proven experienced players on this team. Defense shouldn't miss a beat from years past. Offense has a lot of holes to fill. O-line, WR, RB are the question marks going into the season. John has always produced outstanding backs to carry the brunt of the offense. According to Hoss403 the tradition should continue this season. Several players will have to play both sides of the ball. If everyone can stay healthy I expect an 8-2 record and another trip to Bowling Green to face the purples at semi state.

 

I'll bump the wins up one to 9-1 Slobberknocker. I am assuming the second loss you have is to PRP? I think John will pull out a high scoring game in that one. IF John Hardin has one weakness on defense it will be pass defense so PRP may be able to exploit that. But I don't think they can stop John's offense either. But it should be a heck of a game. Running backs Elijah Smith and Josh Miller have looked really good the few times I have seen them. I can't wait for their scrimmage with Warren Central and Paducah Tillman next Saturday. Should tell us quite a bit.

Hook and ladder, not latter.

Nice report.

 

Sounds like this bunch will need to find some depth, if they are to achieve their ultimate goal.

Hook and ladder, not latter.

 

I thought it was hook & lateral?

I thought it was hook & lateral?

 

It is. But you rarely hear it called a hook and lateral -- it's almost always hook and ladder.

It is. But you rarely hear it called a hook and lateral -- it's almost always hook and ladder.

 

Whether it is hook and lateral or hook and ladder, those are evil words to a John Hardin fan.

I can't wait for their scrimmage with Warren Central and Paducah Tillman next Saturday. Should tell us quite a bit.

 

The schedule on their website has them scrimmaging Louisville Seneca on Aug 23. Did they change it? Any idea when/where they'll scrimmage Warren Central and Paducah Tillman?

The schedule on their website has them scrimmaging Louisville Seneca on Aug 23. Did they change it? Any idea when/where they'll scrimmage Warren Central and Paducah Tillman?

 

Seneca is actually their first game of the season. From what I have seen, they are scrimmaging Warren Central and PT on Saturday, August 17th. I don't know the time yet.

Seneca is actually their first game of the season. From what I have seen, they are scrimmaging Warren Central and PT on Saturday, August 17th. I don't know the time yet.

 

I have been told the scrimmage is at 5PM Eastern pending any changes due to weather. It is at John Hardin.

I have been told the scrimmage is at 5PM Eastern pending any changes due to weather. It is at John Hardin.

 

I know it's only a scrimmage, but Warrent Central and PT have a lot of talent so this should show where John needs to improve and what kind of depth they have.