What does Harlan County need to do to improve in 2014? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

Harlan County is an intriguing team.

 

Last year the expectations were sky high and from the outside looking in the season was a bit of a disappointment. With that said, I do't think it was as much the product of a Harlan County team not being as good as people expected, moreso that their SOS was simply light years harder.

 

Harlan County entered lasts season fresh off a Semi-Finals appearance with a load of talent returning. They had vanquished the self proclaimed "King of the Mountains" in Bell County and were riding high. The new schedule though added three fresh names, all very good teams, in Belfry, Johnson Central, and Greeneville, TN. The Bears were humbled by those three and it seems their confidence was hurt and internal issues seemed to arise due to the defeats. The Bears also had weaknesses exposed. The end result was a 2nd Round exit to the Damien Harris and Madison Southern.

 

Harlan County will always field a big, physical team that is stout in the trenches under Larkey and this year should be no different. The biggest task for the Bears will be finding the offensive playmakers to step in. Gone is All-Everything LB/FB Carson Whitehead, QB Scotty Bailey, versatile WR Cole Wilson, and RB/DB Zach Chitwood. That is a ton of firepower on both sides of the ball.

 

The major positive for HC is Fred Massey emerged last year as their home run threat at RB when Treyvon Long was dismissed from the team. Massey is a smooth and talented athlete. Undersized but quick Kelin Gist also returns as well as their top Lineman Zach Caldwell.

 

Nonetheless, can Harlan County survive their tough schedule again and manage enough firepower to make a run?

Harlan County is an intriguing team. Last year the expectations were sky high and from the outside looking in the season was a bit of a disappointment. With that said' date=' I do't think it was as much the product of a Harlan County team not being as good as people expected, moreso that their SOS was simply light years harder. Harlan County entered lasts season fresh off a Semi-Finals appearance with a load of talent returning. They had vanquished the self proclaimed "King of the Mountains" in Bell County and were riding high. The new schedule though added three fresh names, all very good teams, in Belfry, Johnson Central, and Greeneville, TN. The Bears were humbled by those three and it seems their confidence was hurt and internal issues seemed to arise due to the defeats. The Bears also had weaknesses exposed. The end result was a 2nd Round exit to the Damien Harris and Madison Southern. Harlan County will always field a big, physical team that is stout in the trenches under Larkey and this year should be no different. The biggest task for the Bears will be finding the offensive playmakers to step in. Gone is All-Everything LB/FB Carson Whitehead, QB Scotty Bailey, versatile WR Cole Wilson, and RB/DB Zach Chitwood. That is a ton of firepower on both sides of the ball. The major positive for HC is Fred Massey emerged last year as their home run threat at RB when Treyvon Long was dismissed from the team. Massey is a smooth and talented athlete. Undersized but quick Kelin Gist also returns as well as their top Lineman Zach Caldwell. Nonetheless, can Harlan County survive their tough schedule again and manage enough firepower to make a run?[/quote']

 

I heard that Massey has left and transferred to another school. I think that it will really hurt the Black Bears.

I heard that Massey has left and transferred to another school. I think that it will really hurt the Black Bears.

 

That would be crippling.

 

He truly is their lone home run threat I see returning.

 

What school?

That would be crippling. He truly is their lone home run threat I see returning. What school?

 

I heard Williamsburg.

Fred Massey is at Williamsburg he was playing basketball with them this week at Pineville. His picture was in the paper this week.

Big pickup for the 1A Jackets and massive loss for the 5A Black Bears

Just made Williamsburg a little but tougher. And should give them a solid ground game..

Just made Williamsburg a little but tougher. And should give them a solid ground game..

 

Yes it did. Harlan Co will have a good team but would have been better if they had Massey.