After doubling their win total last season after only two victories n 2021, the Harlan County Black Bears bring back a veteran team this fall with aspirations of building on last season’s improvement.
Harlan County moves up from 4A to 5A this season, joining a district that includes Southwestern, Pulaski County, North Laurel and South Laurel. Even though moving up usually means tougher competition, the Bears have enjoyed success in the past with regional championships in 2010, 2012 and 2017 while in 5A.
“We have to get better every single game, win, lose or draw,” said Amos McCreary, who enters his third season as coach of the Bears. “We’ll have a tough schedule. We don’t have many teams with losing records on our schedule. Our district will be as tough as anyone we’ll see in the playoffs. The camaraderie of this group eems to be good, and the coaches have been together a couple of years.”
One change McCreary hopes to institute is limiting how many players are asked to play both offense and defense, especially on the line.
“That’s one of our goals. Whether we can, I don’t know. We’ve had games where we’ve played well, then ran out of steam,” McCreary said. “The offensive line is a strength for us with the experienced linemen and backs we have. I think we’ll be pretty decent on offense if we can keep those linemen fresh.
The offensive front may be the Bears’ biggest strength, led by a pair of seniors on the right side. Will Cassim, a guard, is a four-year starter, while Jacob Shoemaker is a three-year starter at tackle.
“Those two can match up with anyone in the region. Will is one of the best players in the region. He’s a kid who knows how to play, has the athletic ability to play the game and is mean enough to play the game. He knows both sides of the ball very well. We just have to figure out a way to rest him some,” McCreary said. “Jacob has learned how to play the game. If he gets on you, he will block. He’s a big, strong kid who knows how to play.”
Bradley Henson, a senior, and Peyton Jackson, a junior, are leading candidates at left tackle with both showing significant improvement in the offseason..
“The verdict is still out on who wins that tackle spot, but both of those guys will play. Bradley has looked really good in practice. Coach (Justiin) Curry is really high on him,” McCreary said. “Peyton didn’t get to play a lot of ball growing up and is just now learning to play as a junior in high school. He stayed extra in the weight room and got himself up to benching 300 pounds. He’s also about 6-7. He’s working on improving his movement, but he has really improved in a year.”
Sawyer Harris, a senior who transferred from Russell County, is expected to take over at center.
“He is coming along well. We didn’t know who our center would be
A pair of sophomores, Brayden Clay and Braxton Cornett, are candidates at left guard, along with Adam Grubbs.
“We have a pretty good competition going on there. Both of those kids are pretty aggressive. Brayden played some for us last year in varsity,” McCreary said. “Braxton played well on JV last year. He has worked hard in the weight room.”
The Bears feature several big-play threats in the backfield with seniors Thomas Jordan and Jonah Swanner and junior Luke Kelly.
Jordan ran for a team-high 1,044 yards last season with 14 touchdowns. Swanner, a three-sport standout, added 558 yards rushing while catching 19 passes for 316 yards and also took over at quarterback late last season when Rhymer was injured.
“Those two guys can make plays. We’re trying take some pressure off them and not make them play as much on the defensive side,” McCreary said. “Thomas is starting to know where his holes are and working with his line. Jonah can play just about anything or anywhere. He is a great athlete all the way around. He’s also a good blocker and tackler. He’s a good all-around football player.”
Kelly gives the Bears another receiving option after recording 11 catches for 159 yards.
“Luke has really come on and has done a good job in the weight room to get stronger,” McCreary said. “He really came into his own last year.”
Brayden Howard will also see action at receiver where his blocking skills aid the Bears’ running game.
James Ryan Howard, a junior, returns at fullback after rushing for 286 yards last season. Darren Alred, a senior, will also play fullback.
“Those two are also our starting inside linebackers,” McCreary said. “James Ryan played real well early last year before he had some injuries that really slowed him down. We look for big things out of him. I think he’s gotten quicker.”
Bryan Howard, a senior, will also see action in the backfield and had several good runs, including a touchdown, in a scrimmage victory over Knox Central. Sophomore Jayce Brown also played well in the scrimmage.
Ethan Rhymer, a 6-6 senior, returns at quarterback after being limited to seven games a year ago due to injuries. Rhymer completed 29 of 66 passes last season for 497 yards, with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. Improved consistency from the position would be a huge help to the effectiveness of the offense.
“We need for him to come on and play like a senior this year and show some leadership and play with confidence,” McCreary said. “He can throw the ball. He just has to play with confidence. When it’s not there, take the ball and run with it and not try to force some things. (Assistant coach) Jacob Branson has worked with him and put in a lot of one-on-one time with him.”
Ethan’s brother, Jared, is expected to play tight end where he can provide help blocking and as a receiver. Rhymer was likely the Bears’ hardest worker in the offseason where he made huge gains in size and strength. Mason Beach, a senior who has been slowed by injuries, will also see action at tight end.
“He has worked as hard as anybody. I don’t think he missed a workout last year, then went to work on his own,” McCreary said. “If he does what we think he can do, he can really help us with blocking. He can also run and catch a little.”
The Bears’ top two returning tacklers, Dallas Sergent and Carter Howard, are being counted on to lead the defense as the outside linebackers. Sergent was second to Josh Sergent in tackles last year with 87, while Howard was fourth with 71, including a team-high 15 for losses.
“Carter was the big play guy last year and Dallas was the steady guy,” McCreary said. “They both are coming off good seasons, and we need them to build on that this year as seniors.”
Brayden Howard will also see action at outside linebacker.
James Ryan Howard and Alred will be the inside linebackers and play a key role in the success of the defense. Shemar Carr, a freshman, is a future star, according to McCreary. Brody Hensley will also see action at linebacker.
“Both of those guys have got to come up and make tackles. James Ryan started for us last year and had some injuries. He played well for us early on in the season,” McCreary said. “Darren has to be really good at reading and quick where he’s going. He’s an aggressive and tough kid.”
Travis Burkhart, a former soccer standout in his first year of football, is the early favorite to take over at nose guard.
“We think we can get some plays from him there. We hope he can help us there so we can move Will Cassim out to tackle,” McCreary said.
McCreary hopes to alternate several linemen at the end position, led by Cassim, who was fifth on the team in tackles last year with 49. Jared Rhymer, with his improved size and strength, could also fill one of the down linemen spots/
“Jared is just learning that position, but he has come a long way with the way he’s worked in the weight room,” McCreary said.
Kelly is back at one corner after recording a team-high four interceptions last year, including two returned for touchdowns. There are several options at the other corner, led by sophomore Gage Bailey. Isaiah Cornett and Kayden Adams, both freshmen, have impressed the coaching staff and could also see playing time. Chance Sturgill, a sophomore, will also see acton at safety.
Jordan and Swanner will see action at safety, along with athletic sophomore Hunter Napier.
“We have some young players in the secondary, so if they can get it done it will take some pressure off Jordan and Swanner. Hunter Napier has looked really good and has put in the work in the weight room,” McCreary said. “I think that group will get better every game. They are pretty good athletes. We just hope we can hold our own until they get some experience.”
McCreary says the HCHS defense should continue to improve as the season progresses.
“Defensively, we’re learning on the run. We have two good outside linebackers, but the youth in the secondary worries me.
Cassim is expected to handle kicking duties with Ethan Rhymer punting.