For the first time in 11 years, Central Hardin Football is headed into the 2024 season with a new head coach. After 10 seasons at Central Hardin, Tim Mattingly stepped down as the head coach of the Bruins. After a lengthy hiring process, Central Hardin decided on Phillip Stockdale. Coach Stockdale brings 27 years of coaching experience to the Bruins. He spent the last four seasons at the helm of Nelson County, including a 6-5 record last season for the Cardinals. Before serving as head coach at Nelson County, coach Stockdale served as an assistant coach at Male high school in Louisville.

He brings a different positive attitude and a mission with the sole purpose of competing for a 6A Championship. Stockdale said his teams play a hard-nosed, physical brand of football, employing the triple option offensively.

“It’s very similar to what Army, Navy and Air Force run,” Stockdale said. “Harding University won the Division II national championship this year, and they run an offense that is quite similar to what we’re going to run.”

Stockdale was an offensive lineman who played high school football at Montgomery County and collegiately at Campbellsville University. He has stated that his triple option methodology isn’t about endlessly pounding the ball but a run game that will allow for passing plays. One can only hope that throwing the ball and trying to be a more balanced attack on offense materializes on the field. He also stated that It’s a flexbone, spread out a little bit,” type of offense. “We get some opportunities and some open looks in the passing game, we’re going to take our shots.” Coach Stockdale has also brought with him, defensive coordinator Nate Jackson, from Nelson County.

Offense: Central Hardin graduated both starting QB Zachary Spurrier and  backup QB Caden Elmore. Also lost to graduation are running backs Mason Gardner, Walker Meredith, and Brandon Lee. Central Hardin appears to be leaning towards starting Caleb Wilson at the QB position This season. Also returning on the offensive side of the ball are RB/WR Jaxon Engstrand, and RB Caeden Taylor

Defense: On defense, key losses include Linebackers McKay and Noah Peyton, and DL Tucker Walters. Key defensive linemen returning this season include Seth Laudermilt who finished third on the team last season with 37 Tackles, Grayson Decker and Carson Lamothe.

Central Hardin must learn a new offensive and defensive scheme, replace all of the key skill position players on offense and rely on some key returning players along the defensive and offensive lines. Oh, by the way, GRC should be much improved and with Manual , Henderson County, and Meade County, on the early season schedule, their record going into their first home game of the season on September 15^th vs Bowling Green could be 1-3.

 In my opinion, this team should finish the season 5-5, with Meade County probably the favorite in District 2.

Oops. I forgot that Meade County is not in District 2 this year. 

Nice write up HCP!

I assume Coach Stockdale ran this same offense while he was at Nelson County.  Correct?

Going to have to throw some.  

How do you think their OLine will do this season?

Tough schedule to start the year!

I'll see you on the 15th!

 

Thanks Purple88. He did run the same offense at Nelson County. CH has 3 returning offensive lineman. I believe 2 of them are close to 300 pounds. Their lateral movement is average. Isn't Bowling Green a preseason favorite to win it all in 5A? Could be a long night for Central Hardin.

3 hours ago, Hardin County Preps said:

Thanks Purple88. He did run the same offense at Nelson County. CH has 3 returning offensive lineman. I believe 2 of them are close to 300 pounds. Their lateral movement is average. Isn't Bowling Green a preseason favorite to win it all in 5A? Could be a long night for Central Hardin.

Thanks.  BG should likely be 1 or 2 when the Pre-season polls come out.  They have alot returning off last season's State Championship team.  Looking forward to seeing that Central Hardin game!  Good luck to the Bruins!

Optimism always permeates the air around a coaching change. Mattingly did a very admirable job with the Bruins, but he may have maxed out there. Sometimes a change of scenery is what both sides need, even if there's been far more wins than losses.

If Stockdale can find the right formula, this program has big potential. This is one of those jobs where the right coach could really set things off. CH has in the neighborhood of a thousand boys walking the halls in a growing and talent rich area. Easily a top ten caliber program in 6A.

Watched this team in their first scrimmage. I was very impressed. They are very, very big. I highly doubt they will be outsized up front all year. Along with that, the triple already looks pretty crisp.

I think this team could be a dark horse in 6A. 

Which schools are in the CH district?

2 hours ago, MBKT said:

Which schools are in the CH district?

Barren County, North Hardin, and Warren Central.

8 minutes ago, gchs_uk9 said:

Barren County, North Hardin, and Warren Central.

Thank you. 

5-5 Record? Closer to 2-8 if there lucky. Them and Warren Central will both be winless when the match up in week 7. Barren with Myers taking over will be tough out too. What Mattingly did at Central people don't give enough credit for what he accomplished. Future isn't great either with the majority of there best incoming freshman went down the street to E-town. 

We will get some clarity on this team Thursday night when they scrimmage at home vs South Warren. Lots of unknowns. The numbers are up this year with around 100 kids out between varsity, JV, and freshman teams. 

I think you see in most places numbers are up when you have a new coach come in.  It will take a little while to weed out the kids that probably shouldn’t be on the team.