Two young football teams who were former district foes square off Friday night during the Bourbon Festival in Bardstown.

4A John Hardin (1-1) fell in the opener, surrendering 42 to Hancock County, but rebounded with a 26-12 win over Seneca Friday night. The Bulldogs graduated large numbers and are still trying to find identity and consistency on defense.  Their offensive identity is well-known, however, lining up behind Mr. Football candidate Cavalli Pittman, who ran for over 200 yards and 4 TD's on 30 carries in Week 1, and by all accounts had similar numbers Friday.  The Dawgs will simply pound it and see if you can stop him. There has been some call for them to let QB Austin Richardson throw more and to develop a second runner, but thus far head coach Doug Preston, who knows what he is doing, has gone with his bell cow.

Bardstown (2-0), who moved back down to 3A this season, came from behind to beat Elizabethtown in Week 1 39-36, and then came from behind again last night against 6A Fern Creek, 21-16, though the game was far from "clean." The Tigers were intercepted twice, lost a fumble by senior tailback Sevyn Hamilton that was returned for a TD, dropped several money passes, and went backwards in the running game most of the first half.  However, they recovered nicely in the second half, getting a 70 yd. TD run from Hamilton and a long kickoff return for a TD by KJ Stafford, and the young defense generally performed well against Fern Creek's superior size.  Junior QB Carson Riley is certainly capable of getting hot in the passing game, and sophomore wideout Chi Poynter is starting to emerge as a viable playmaker. Will the Tigers hang on to the ball, though.

This one is not complicated. John Hardin will pound Pittman until Bardstown stops him, and will line up to stop Hamilton until Bardstown completes some passes. It was the same formula they had last year, and Bardstown prevailed 37-29. Things just appear closer this year.

Word to the wise for Bulldog faithful: the Kentucky Bourbon Festival will be occurring right around the corner Friday night, AND, this year the parking lot across the street at the old City Pool has now been bulldozed so is not an option.  Parking will be at an absolute premium and traffic could potentially be bad.  I would plan on leaving 30 minutes earlier than you might otherwise leave to account for that mess.  Just FYI.

John Hardin pulled away in the 4th quarter from a Seneca team that was in this game for much of the night Friday. The play along the offensive and defensive lines for the Bulldogs has got to improve. 

This game against Bardstown will be physical. I think Bardstown is better up front than John Hardin on both sides of the ball. John Hardin will need to slow down the Tigers RB, Sevyn Hamilton Friday night or it could be a long night. 

The Bulldogs have got to get some offensive production out of someone other than Pittman and the defense has got to get some stops and get off of the field vs Bardstown. 

My prediction: Bardstown 36 John Hardin 21

I think the scores last week indicates that this will likely be a good game on Friday. JH is going to need to be able to throw the ball efficiently against a Bardstown team that will likely be as physical as Hancock was. Defense is taking on a big task with the athletes that Bardstown has so I am expecting a shootout. Will likely come down to turnovers and special teams. Good luck to both teams!

 

On 8/31/2025 at 8:46 PM, Hardin County Preps said:

John Hardin pulled away in the 4th quarter from a Seneca team that was in this game for much of the night Friday. The play along the offensive and defensive lines for the Bulldogs has got to improve. 

This game against Bardstown will be physical. I think Bardstown is better up front than John Hardin on both sides of the ball. John Hardin will need to slow down the Tigers RB, Sevyn Hamilton Friday night or it could be a long night. 

The Bulldogs have got to get some offensive production out of someone other than Pittman and the defense has got to get some stops and get off of the field vs Bardstown. 

My prediction: Bardstown 36 John Hardin 21

I would disagree with this take about JH offensive/defensive line. I think that area is a strength for JH, it is hard to run the ball and get big plays in a 9 man box and running wishbone. They also run a 3 man front on defense, early struggles not on the DL. JH really needs to bring along younger secondary and linebackers to be ready for District play. 

Bump.

7-0 Bardstown, 8:40 to go 2nd qrtr. Riley to Poynter 8 yd. TD pass.

14-0 Bardstown 3:02 to go 2nd qrtr. 1 yd. Riley QB sneak TD.

21-0 Bardstown. 1:10 to go 1st half. Tylan Spalding 14 yd. TD run.

21-3 Bardstown. :44 left in half. Ashton Russell (JH) 24 yd. FG.

Halftime. Bardstown 21 JH 3.

Thus far, Tiger defense has completely shut down Cavalli Pittman, and the Bardstown offense has shown nice balance, with Riley to Poynter in the passing game emerging as big threat capability.

28-3 Bardstown. 41 yd. TD pass Riley to Poynter. 7:36 to go 3rd qtr.

28-10 Bardstown. Pittman 3 yd. run. 1:26 to go 3rd qtr.

35-10 Bardstown. Riley to Spalding 45 yd. TD pass. 9:32 to go in game.

Lightning delay with 4:14 remaining.