Coming off an 8-4 season that one could argue was the program’s best this century, the Harlan Green Dragons face the next step — build on their success.
“I think we can build off what we did last year, but we can’t rest on that either,” said Eric Perry, who enters his fifth season as coach. “I think these kids are hungry. I also think we have a little chip on our shoulders. We’re a work in progress, but I like our attitude and I like our work ethic. District championships are great, but we’re looking at the big picture, and you don’t have to be district champs to be regional champs. We felt we matched up well with all the Class A teams outside of Pikeville last year.”
With a high-powered ground attack that produced almost 3,000 yards on the ground, the Dragons topped the 40-point mark five times from late September to a 42-7 playoff win over Lexington Sayre. Harlan’s season ended with a second-round loss to eventual state champ Pikeville. Perry and his coaching staff soon went to work to replace the graduation of seven key players, including running back Jayden Ward and his 1,423 yards and 19 touchdowns and big-play receiver/defensive back Will Austin, along with their top two tackers in Dylan Middleton and R.W. Sanford.
With Ward not around to handle the tough yardage between the tackles, Perry will turn to senior quarterback Donovan Montanaro and junior running back Darius Akal to take over as the primary playmakers. Akal rushed for 664 yards and eight touchdowns last season while Montanaro added 431 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.
“We expect Darius to have a big year for us. He’s gotten stronger, plus he’s gotten faster with a 4.5, so he can fly,” Perry said. “I thought Donovan got really comfortable at quarterback by late last season. He’s our leader, and the kids rally around him. He’s a dual-threat guy who can run and throw. He will run the ball a lot. We’re a running team, and he’s a big part of it.”
Sedrick Washington, a sophomore, backs up Akal at running back, with Nate Montanaro and Akal both capable of playing quarterback if needed. Eden Caudill, a freshman, also provides depth at running back.
Jeremiah Madden, a junior who played a big role on defense last year, will move in at fullback. Noah Kirby, also a defensive standout, could see action at fullback.
“Coaches always take about players they can’t afford to lose, but Jeremiah does so much for us,” Perry said. “He can play fullback, tight end and wingback, along with all he does on defense at linebacker. Jeremiah is huge for us.”
One big reason for the Dragons’ ground success last year was a much improved offensive front that brings back junior center Matthew Nunez (6-0, 270), senior right guard Trenton Childers (5-9, 245) and junior left guard Peyton Thompson (6-0, 250).
“Matt has been solid there for us. He’s a very smart kid. He had some knee issues, so we try to keep him off defense because he plays such a big role on offense,” Perry said. “Peyton and Trenton are big, strong kids who also move well. Those three guys have a lot of experience.”
With junior Hunter Clem (6-4, 255) projected as the starting tight end after playing left tackle last year, the Dragons will turn to the Rodriguez brothers at the tackles as Malachi, a 6-1, 250-pound senior, plays the right side and Jordan, a 5-9, 270-pound freshman, will take over on the left side.
“Jordan is just a freshman, but he’s very strong. He’s taken a lot of heat from my brother (coach Jerry Perry), but he’s getting better,” Perry said. “Malachi played more defense last year, but he’s doing a good job on offense for us this summer and will keep getting better.”
Kirby and Connor Witt will also compete for playing time on the offensive front.
Clem will give the Dragons’ a sixth lineman in a run-heavy offense who can provide Montanaro with a big target over the middle in the red zone.
“He’s a load at tight end and will be a big key for us. You can’t teach 6-4, 255,” Perry said.
Nate Montanaro, a junior, and Tayquan Vick, a senior, will take over as the starting receivers as the Dragons seek to fill the big shoes of Austin, who had 15 of the team’s 24 catches in 2022.
“Nate has great hands and has grown a couple of inches. He’s looking more like Will every day,” Perry said. “Tayquan hasn’t played a lot of offense, but he’s doing a good job and can make some plays.”
Connor Daniels and Dylan Cox, both first-year sophomores better known for their basketball skills, provide depth at receiver, along with sophomore Jonah Sharp.
“Connor has been a pleasant surprise, and so has Dylan,” Perry said.
Harlan took a bigger hit on defense where five of the team’s top eight tacklers graduated, including Middleton, Sanford and Ward.
With the Dragons’ top three linebackers gone, the secondary becomes the strength of the unit as four of the five starters return, including Akal and Vick on the corners and the Montanaro brothers at safety. Austin was the top playmaker of the five-man unit last season, but Perry is confident the remaining four can cause problems for opposing passing games. Cox, Caudill and freshman Beck Bryson will also see action in the secondary.
“They are athletic guys who can run and get to the football,” Perry said. “We feel good about what we’ve got back there.”
Madden was the top reserve in last year’s linebacking corps and saw extensive action. He becomes the leader of the unit after recording 21 tackles last season.
“Jeremiah was our fourth linebacker last year, but he played quite a bit and had some good games,” Perry said. “He’s one of our key players on defense. He leads our drill work and is a leader. We expect a lot from Jeremiah.”
Washington and Daniels are the probable starters on the outside as both will make their first varsity starts on Aug. 18 at Hancock County, Tenn. Shaune Burnette and Brayden Doan could also see action at outside linebacker.
“They are both inexperienced and have played defensive back in the past,” Perry said. “They both run very well and are strong kids in the weight room. They will be pretty doggone good with a year of experience.”
Connor Witt (6-2, 325) is back for his junior season, playing tackle in a four-man front or nose guard if the Dragons use three linemen. Perry will alternate his offensive linemen at the other tackle spot, including Childers, Thompson and the Rodriguez brothers.
“I think we’ll be fine there. We have some big guys who can move a little bit,” Perry said. “Connor will draw some double-teams when we’re in a three-man front. We have several who can play the other tackle.”
Kirby and Clem will be counted on as playmakers at end. Kirby had 41 tackles last year, with seven for losses. Clem had 13 tackles in a part-time role on defense, but Perry is counting on much more this season.
“I think this is Kirby’s third-year starting, and he’s gotten stronger. We’re looking for him to have a good year,” Perry said. “Hunter is big and has good feet. I think both of those guys will make plays.”
Childers is expected to handle placekicking duties with the Montanaros handling the punting.
With more losses on defense, Perry says the Harlan offense will carry a bigger burden early in the season.
“I think we can be as good or better on offense,” he said. “We feel our offense will have to carry us early, especially after what we lost at linebacker.”
Harlan was the last team other than Williamsburg to win a district title in 2015 before the Jackets began their current string of seven straight championships. Middlesboro moves down from 2A and has taken over as the slight favorite in some publications. Second a year ago, the Dragons hope to make a push for this year’s championship.
“It’s a very competitive district and it’s going to be a tussle,” Perry said. “I think Lynn Camp will be improved. Pineville lost a lot of seniors, but coach Harris will have those guys playing hard. We know Middlesboro is a senior-dominated team with a player like (Cayden) Grigsby who can break one at any time. They also have everyone back up front. Of course, Williamsburg has been good for a long time.”
“You always have to avoid key injuries, especially at a Class A school,” Perry said. “We also need to continue improving our offensive line depth. I also think our linebackers will be a key. I think as they get better, we’ll get better on defense. I thought we got better as the season progressed last year, and I think we’ll do that again. We’ll be a work in progress.”