Gallery • 3 Photos

John Henson

Eighth-grade football players were welcomed to the Harlan County High School football team during the HCHS Signing Day program Thursday. Those pictured include, from left, front row: Garrett Wilder, Landon Cook, Chance Sturgill, Dillan Clem, Jason Maggard, Tyler Gross, Jayce Brown and coach Amos McCreary; middle row: coach Dion Coldiron, coach Petie Dean, T.J. Cook, Tobby Webb, Brody Hensley, Brayden Smith, Braxton Cornett, Jacob Howard, Brayden Fultz, Josh Stewart, Lacey Sanders and Astria Howard; back row: Shemar Carr, Blake Short, coach Lenny Carr, Brayden Clay and Aaron Johnson.

While the opening of official football practice is still months away, 19 eighth-graders from Harlan County middle schools joined the Harlan County High School football program on Thursday with a symbolic signing day program held at the HCHS auditorium.
HCHS football coach Amos McCreary welcomed members of the Class of 2026 in the program as he introduced the coaching staff and several upperclassmen who talked to the eighth-graders about what they can expect in high school. Connor Blevins, Jacob Shoemaker, Carter Howard, Dallas Sergent, Mason Beach and Josh Sergent shared advice on how to approach high school, including the need to focus on academics and how to interact with classmates.
Each of the eighth-graders introduced themselves and their parents/guardians at the program with them. They also participated in the HCHS Signing Day on the auditorium stage.
McCreary told the players how important it was to be involved in as many sports/activities as possible in high school while establishing a network of friends that would be important to them in their careers beyond high school. McCreary invited the eighth-graders to join the team’s weightllifting program, if they haven’t already and to reach out to him or other coaches if they needed help.