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. Cavalli Pittman totaled 6,238 rushing yards in four seasons at John Hardin.

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.

Senior QB Adrian Lunsford will assume the role of leading this John Hardin squad. He has little experience at the position and must rely on his offensive line to give him time in the backfield. Junior Trae Martin is the leading returning RB with 536 yards on 101 rushing attempts last season.

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.

Hancock County is coming off of a 6-5 season in 2025 They have defeated John Hardin 3 straight seasons and look to add a fourth this year.

They return QB Brady Eubanks who passed for 885 yards on 99 pass attempts in 2025. Eubanks is also a threat to run the ball. He led the team in rushing, compiling 887 net yards on 128 rushing attempts. Also returning are RBs Kalab Helms (779 yards rushing), and Kyle Anderson (419 yards rushing).

Their top 2 receivers, Cooper Jones and Hunter Greathouse, graduated.

Their top two tacklers on defense, Ross Powers and Trevan Coiles, also graduated.

I think that John Hardin’s inexperience in the offensive backfield will be the difference in this game.

My Prediction: Hancock County 36 John Hardin 14

Edited August 16Aug 16 by Hardin County Preps

Will this be the year JH stops this losing streak against Hancock? I think so give me the Bulldogs in this one.

For those of you interested in this game, I will be updating this matchup from Bulldog Stadium this Friday at 7:30.

I expect this game to be another physical matchup like every year so far. Team that makes the fewest mistakes will win this one.

John Hardin in red and white helmets. Hancock County in white and red helmets

JH to receive

JH returns the kickoff to the 41 yard line. 1st and 10

Run up the middle to the 44

QB Lunsford run for 2 yards

Martin run good for a 1st down to the 48 of the Hornets

Pass to #6 to the Hornets 39

No gain, third and 3

Pass to #12 for a first down to the Hornets36

Martin run to the Hornets 21