Former John Hardin high school football player, Jeremy Harness, was hired as the new Football coach back in January of this year. He replaces Doug Preston, who retired after coaching six seasons at John Hardin. Harness spent the last two seasons as head coach at Warren Central in Bowling Green where he went 6-15. He was a great athlete during his time with the Bulldogs rushing for 3,112 yards, 1,745 receiving yards, and 63 TDs. He helped John Hardin to three region championships and a 2009 state runner-up. He went on to play football at Murray State as a receiver, totaling 2,326 yards on 204 catches and 12 TDs.

Along with a new coach, the Bulldogs must replace QB Austin Richardson and standout RB Cavalli Pittman. Key returning players include TE/DL DJ Hightower, Elijah Luna, Trae Martin, at RB, and Aiden Franklin in the backfield. He was also their leading receiver from last season with 315 yards on 17 receptions.

Luna returns as the Bulldog leading tackler with 66 total tackles last season and will be counted on to carry this defense early in the season. BJ Stewart also returns on the defensive front with 55 tackles on the 2025 season.

The Bulldogs must shore up a defense that allowed 1558 rushing yards on the season in 2026 and 1287 passing yards.

Also gone is RB Cavalli Pittman who totaled 6,238 rushing yards in four seasons at John Hardin.

John Hardin must use the preseason to establish a QB who can manage this offense and identify a key replacement at the RB position.

John Hardin 2026 Schedule

August 6th vs Central Hardin (Scrimmage) 6:00pm

August 21st vs Hancock County

August 29th at Seneca

September 3rd vs Bardstown

September 11th at Fairdale

September 18th at Marion County

September 25th vs Nelson County

October 2nd vs Bethlehem

October 16th vs Taylor County

October 23rd at Elizabethtown

October 30th at Mercer County

The second scrimmage for John Hardin is;

Friday, August 14th at Valley 7:00pm