John Hardin High went 9-3 last season. With came some confidence as the season went on.

After losing the season opener to Hancock County last season the Bulldogs won six straight and finished the season in the second round to Paducah Tilghman, the eventual Class 4A state champion. 

With the return of several key players, including senior running back Cavalli Pittman, who led the state in rushing last season, the Bulldogs are hoping to improve on last season's record. Pittman rushed for 3,174 yards and 40 touchdowns last season on 318 carries. Pittman rushed for 250 yards or more seven times last season, including four games of 317 yards or more. His season-high was 345 yards against Nelson County. This season, he’s expected to carry a big load for the Bulldogs, who had combined for just six wins the previous two seasons. He will be joined in the backfield by junior Trae Martin at halfback and senior Noah Bowling at fullback. Martin had 16 carries for 101 yards and two TDs last year and Bowling had one carry.

Senior Austin Richardson is back as starting quarterback after passing for 645 yards and eight TDs and added 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Juniors D.J. Hightower and Kenzyn Turner will play tight end. Hightower caught 10 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns last season. On the offensive line, seniors Tristan Goodman, Kendrick Daugherty and Ethan Latham will be joined by junior Elijah Luna and sophomore Kaysin Cato. Luna was the Area Sophomore of the Year last season. He also will start on the defensive line at nose guard and was second on the team with 56 tackles and had five tackles for lost yardage and two sacks. Freshman Nate Rogers will be at one defensive end spot and Hightower at the other. The defensive line will definitely be the strength of the team. 

At linebacker, senior Emari Simon will start in the middle after making 22 tackles last year. Junior Chris Hilton and sophomore Adrian Lunsford are expected to start at outside linebacker. 

In the secondary, Pittman, senior B.J. Stewart and sophomore Jaylen McLeroy will start, along with sophomore Noah Harris and junior Jeremiah Smith. Stewart had 50 tackles and two fumble recoveries last season.

John Hardin has lost the last two seasons to Hancock County in the opening week and will look to start the season 1-0 behind a group of seniors who are battle tested after 3 seasons learning their craft. 

Hancock County comes into the 2025 season after finishing 8-3 and losing to Franklin-Simpson by 1 point in the first round of the playoffs. 

They lost to graduation, QB Dylan Morris who had 2.255 net yards last season. Junior RB Brady Eubanks returns posting 470 yards rushing on 65 attempts. 

Leading receiver, Cooper Jones returns for this Senior season after posting 618 receiving yards. 

Last Year, Hancock County got out to an early 21-0 lead and ended up winning 21-10.

Look for John Hardin to come out fast in this matchup. 

My Prediction: John Hardin 28 Hancock County 14

9 to 1 Sleeping on the Hornets....LOL

This has been good games both years.  I look for another.  JH and HC kids play hard it will come down to Special teams and who takes care of the ball.

Personally I think this game will be very close. JH has lost some key pieces on defense and there are definitely some question marks on that side of the ball early in the year. However, JH SHOULD win this game. JH is returning its best set of the best athletes since 2020 and really established an identity last year. Pittman will be a load to bring down for every team. Last year against Hancock, JH had 2 punts blocked and lots of blown assignments that led to them getting behind early. To me, the key for JH is not imploding at the start of the game. Hancock is extremely well coached. Should be a good one to start the year! 

Pittman is the real deal. I’m Excited to see how he and the dawgs do this year 

Halftime.

Hancock County 29

John Hardin 15

1 minute ago, Hardin County Preps said:

Halftime.

Hancock County 29

John Hardin 7

Wow!! Wasn’t expecting that!

Halftime score is 29-15 not 29-7. 

35-21 HC with 4 mins left 3rd quarter 

JH with a forced fumble taken away and 50 yards in penalties leading to Hancock TD. JH coaches looked certain it was fumble (looked like a fumble to me) then 3 15 yards penalties.

TD Hancock, 42-21 11:50 left 

TD JH. 42-28 7 mins left

First Hancock punt of the night. JH ball with 6 mins left. 42-28 Hancock 

JH turnover on downs. Hancock leading 42-28 with 1:54 left.