The Harlan County junior varsity team has split its opening four games, defeating Middlesboro 14-6 and Bell County 14-12 while losing to Clay County 30-12 and Bell County 30-6.
“It’s no secret we are young on Friday nights in varsity, so means that we are very young and/or inexperienced on Monday evenings in junior varsity) as well,” said coach Zach Caldwell. “However, regardless of youth or experience, this is one of the scrappiest teams I have ever coached. They give you everything they got every time they step on the field. Once their execution matches their effort, they will all take the next step in their development as a high school football player. I have no doubt that the more reps they get, the more they will grow and learn. They are an eager group and are always ready to listen and learn.”
Kayden Adams had a 15-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion against the Jackets.
Brady Freeman added a 50-yard interception return for a score.
Isaiah Cornett had touchdown runs of 10 and 1 yards, plus a two-point conversion, in the win over Bell County.
Adams moved in at quarterback when Brayden Howard was injured and set up the winning score with a 40-yard pass to Freeman.
Caldwell said Bo Eldridge and Masyn Stewart have been leaders on defense at linebacker. Lee Senters and Aaron Howard are among the top defensive linemen with Brayden Cole, Adam Carr and Logan Smith at end. Brayden Howard, Jaxon Hurt, Kayden Adams, and Drew Sargent are among the top players in the secondary with Rhyland Thomas and Freeman at the outside linebackers.
“In his first year, coach Christian Hall has done an excellent job calling the defense thus far and the kids really feed off his energy,” Caldwell said. “My number one goal calling the plays for JV is to take just a couple of our basic plays in varsity and try to run them as close to perfect as we can game in and game out. Our kids are getting better rep by rep and starting to understand what we as a staff are asking them to do offensively. The future is bright in Harlan County if these young men continue to work and develop.”