Thread Rating:
07-23-2025, 11:04 AM
(07-23-2025, 10:37 AM)bac2369 Wrote:(07-23-2025, 10:15 AM)jetpilot Wrote: ^^^I don't get it bac. Does that mean their offense looked awful?
Have no clue. Just taking what I hear. I’m gonna assume practice was all defense. Did see pics and videos of drills and lineman doing work. But that’s all I know.
I believe you, just didn't understand. Chandler has brought the excitement back.
![[-]](https://bluegrassrivals.com/forum/images/lifestyle/collapse.png)
07-23-2025, 11:09 AM
If Hazard can keep getting the kids back that they had previously lost to Breathitt and Perry County, they will start being competitive at the 1A level again. I also think Chandler is doing a fine job there. They have struggled since Dixon left.
07-28-2025, 06:13 PM
This post is brought to you by Derrick Bowling - Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance, Kemper Furniture Hazard, Kentucky Mountain Health Alliance - Little Flower Clinic.
HAZARD LOOKS TO BUILD OFF LAST SEASON’S SUCCESS
The Hazard Bulldogs took a step back toward becoming a power once again last season. After a 1-10 season in 2023, Matt Chandler took over as head coach, and the results were immediate. Hazard finished last season with an 8-5 record and a feeling that one of the state’s most successful programs may be heading back toward powerhouse status.
This season, Chandler is hoping his team can continue to build off of last year’s accomplishments and once again become one of the powers in the Mountains.
“Last year was a really good turn around,” said Chandler. “I thought our kids were super competitive, but the big thing is that everyone bought in. We were able to change the culture early. It was huge because then we had that good run, it just showed the guys what we’re doing is working, so they totally bought in heading into this season. It’s really obvious with our kids and community. Multiple people have told me that they haven’t been this excited for a season of Hazard football in a long time.
“It’s been kine of infectious,” he continued. “When I took the job, I knew it was a little bit down, but Hazard football is still Hazard football. I knew that if we could get it back to where it’s always been, it could be really special again. And I think we’re off to a great start.”
OFFENSE
Hazard graduated senior star quarterback Max Pelfrey after he passed for 2,444 yards and 26 touchdowns. Enter sophomore William Shoptaw. Last season, Shoptaw completed 18-of-43 passes for 213 yards and 5 touchdowns in limited action.
“We think that he can step in and give us what we need at the quarterback position,” said Chaindler. “But we won’t know until we see it. He has all of the tools. He’s a true student of the game. He’s always working, so I don’t have any doubt that he can step in and lead us.”
At running back, Hazard will replace workhorse Memphis Blankenship who graduated after rushing for 1,050 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. While the Bulldogs may not have that one feature back, they feel good about their stable of backs to divide the carries. Jadrian Wells will see some snaps in the backfield. He also has great hands and made some big catches for them in the receiving game. Kody Hill is back after not playing last season. Freshman Preston Hall will see some carries as well, and he projects to have a really good high school career at running back.Jackson Deaton, a transfer from Perry County Central, will also see some time later this season but will see limited carries to keep him fresh on defense.
The Bulldogs are loaded at wide receiver and are led by one of the best in the Mountains with junior Gavin Johnson. Last season, Johnson caught 85 passes for 1,069 yards and 13 touchdowns. Javion Fullwood will play the Y position in the slot. He’s a big versatile athlete who can help in many ways. Connor Holbrook is super athletic and will be at the other slot receiver. Korbin Fletcher comes over from Leslie County and is expected to make plays in the receiving game as well.
On the offensive line, Hazard is happy with the unit they’ve put together. Sophomore Gannon Mullins is back to start at right tackle after starting as a freshman last season. Cole Napier, a junior, is expected to play at right guard. Sophomore Isaac Begley is expected to start at center after playing left tackle last season as a freshman. Chris Partin is a sophomore transfer from Perry County Central and is expected to start at left guard. At left tackle, senior Hudson Johnson is expected to start and bring some valuable experience to the unit after starting at left guard last season.
DEFENSE
On the defensive line, senior John Sexton is undersized but plays with really great technique and has a high motor. Chris Partin will be playing nose guard for Bulldogs after having a great freshman season at Perry County Central. Caden Brewer started last year as a freshman and has a ton of potential. He’s put in a lot of work in the offseason to become a better player at defensive end.
In the linebacking corps, the Bulldogs Jackson Deaton and Rayce Lindon will anchor the unit. Deaton comes in after having a great season at Perry County Central and will play one of the outside linebacker positions. Lindon had 127 tackles for Hazard last season and will be able to bring leadership at the middle linebacker position.
The Bulldogs are really deep at the defensive back spot. Tanner Goins has locked down one of the cornerback spots. Korbin Fletcher, Max Kilburn and Titus Holland have all seen reps at the other corner spot. At safety, sophomore David Napier returns after a great freshman season. Gavin Johnson will see a lot of time back there as well. Holland will also play at safety and may even see some reps at outside linebacker, providing a versatile option for the defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Freshman Max Kilburn will handle the kicking duties and Chandler feels that he projects to have a college level leg. Kilburn should really be a great addition to Hazard’s team with his big leg. He makes Hazard an even bigger threat to score in field goal range and should be great on kick offs as well. He’s also a really good athlete who will see some time at wide receiver on offense. While he hasn’t done a lot of punting, Chandler is confident that he can pick it up pretty quickly and start there as well.
SCHEDULE
The Bulldogs once again have a loaded schedule that will challenge them as they get ready for the playoffs. Hazard always plays a strong schedule, and this season is no different with several premiere games.
8/23 - at Montgomery County
8/29 - at Whitley County
9/5 - at Prestonsburg
9/12 - Breathitt County
9/19 - Campbellsville
9/26 - at Knox Central
10/3 - Raceland
1010 - at Paintsville
10/24 - Pikeville
10/31 - Somerset
OUTLOOK
Hazard’s football tradition is second to none in the Mountains. The Bulldogs don’t just expect to play well, they want to contend for titles. And after last season, it looks like the Bulldogs are heading in that direction. Big things are ahead for Hazard, and look for this team to keep climbing toward the top.
“Everybody wants to compete for a state championship,” said Chandler. “The reality is that we’re really glad to be at one of the handful of schools that have a legitimate shot to do that. We have all of the resources to do it. Our goal is to compete for state championships. But we want to win the region, and we want to play at home in the playoffs, especially if we’re blessed to get there.”
The Bulldogs are coming, and they’re going to be a problem for any team they face this season.
HAZARD LOOKS TO BUILD OFF LAST SEASON’S SUCCESS
The Hazard Bulldogs took a step back toward becoming a power once again last season. After a 1-10 season in 2023, Matt Chandler took over as head coach, and the results were immediate. Hazard finished last season with an 8-5 record and a feeling that one of the state’s most successful programs may be heading back toward powerhouse status.
This season, Chandler is hoping his team can continue to build off of last year’s accomplishments and once again become one of the powers in the Mountains.
“Last year was a really good turn around,” said Chandler. “I thought our kids were super competitive, but the big thing is that everyone bought in. We were able to change the culture early. It was huge because then we had that good run, it just showed the guys what we’re doing is working, so they totally bought in heading into this season. It’s really obvious with our kids and community. Multiple people have told me that they haven’t been this excited for a season of Hazard football in a long time.
“It’s been kine of infectious,” he continued. “When I took the job, I knew it was a little bit down, but Hazard football is still Hazard football. I knew that if we could get it back to where it’s always been, it could be really special again. And I think we’re off to a great start.”
OFFENSE
Hazard graduated senior star quarterback Max Pelfrey after he passed for 2,444 yards and 26 touchdowns. Enter sophomore William Shoptaw. Last season, Shoptaw completed 18-of-43 passes for 213 yards and 5 touchdowns in limited action.
“We think that he can step in and give us what we need at the quarterback position,” said Chaindler. “But we won’t know until we see it. He has all of the tools. He’s a true student of the game. He’s always working, so I don’t have any doubt that he can step in and lead us.”
At running back, Hazard will replace workhorse Memphis Blankenship who graduated after rushing for 1,050 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. While the Bulldogs may not have that one feature back, they feel good about their stable of backs to divide the carries. Jadrian Wells will see some snaps in the backfield. He also has great hands and made some big catches for them in the receiving game. Kody Hill is back after not playing last season. Freshman Preston Hall will see some carries as well, and he projects to have a really good high school career at running back.Jackson Deaton, a transfer from Perry County Central, will also see some time later this season but will see limited carries to keep him fresh on defense.
The Bulldogs are loaded at wide receiver and are led by one of the best in the Mountains with junior Gavin Johnson. Last season, Johnson caught 85 passes for 1,069 yards and 13 touchdowns. Javion Fullwood will play the Y position in the slot. He’s a big versatile athlete who can help in many ways. Connor Holbrook is super athletic and will be at the other slot receiver. Korbin Fletcher comes over from Leslie County and is expected to make plays in the receiving game as well.
On the offensive line, Hazard is happy with the unit they’ve put together. Sophomore Gannon Mullins is back to start at right tackle after starting as a freshman last season. Cole Napier, a junior, is expected to play at right guard. Sophomore Isaac Begley is expected to start at center after playing left tackle last season as a freshman. Chris Partin is a sophomore transfer from Perry County Central and is expected to start at left guard. At left tackle, senior Hudson Johnson is expected to start and bring some valuable experience to the unit after starting at left guard last season.
DEFENSE
On the defensive line, senior John Sexton is undersized but plays with really great technique and has a high motor. Chris Partin will be playing nose guard for Bulldogs after having a great freshman season at Perry County Central. Caden Brewer started last year as a freshman and has a ton of potential. He’s put in a lot of work in the offseason to become a better player at defensive end.
In the linebacking corps, the Bulldogs Jackson Deaton and Rayce Lindon will anchor the unit. Deaton comes in after having a great season at Perry County Central and will play one of the outside linebacker positions. Lindon had 127 tackles for Hazard last season and will be able to bring leadership at the middle linebacker position.
The Bulldogs are really deep at the defensive back spot. Tanner Goins has locked down one of the cornerback spots. Korbin Fletcher, Max Kilburn and Titus Holland have all seen reps at the other corner spot. At safety, sophomore David Napier returns after a great freshman season. Gavin Johnson will see a lot of time back there as well. Holland will also play at safety and may even see some reps at outside linebacker, providing a versatile option for the defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Freshman Max Kilburn will handle the kicking duties and Chandler feels that he projects to have a college level leg. Kilburn should really be a great addition to Hazard’s team with his big leg. He makes Hazard an even bigger threat to score in field goal range and should be great on kick offs as well. He’s also a really good athlete who will see some time at wide receiver on offense. While he hasn’t done a lot of punting, Chandler is confident that he can pick it up pretty quickly and start there as well.
SCHEDULE
The Bulldogs once again have a loaded schedule that will challenge them as they get ready for the playoffs. Hazard always plays a strong schedule, and this season is no different with several premiere games.
8/23 - at Montgomery County
8/29 - at Whitley County
9/5 - at Prestonsburg
9/12 - Breathitt County
9/19 - Campbellsville
9/26 - at Knox Central
10/3 - Raceland
1010 - at Paintsville
10/24 - Pikeville
10/31 - Somerset
OUTLOOK
Hazard’s football tradition is second to none in the Mountains. The Bulldogs don’t just expect to play well, they want to contend for titles. And after last season, it looks like the Bulldogs are heading in that direction. Big things are ahead for Hazard, and look for this team to keep climbing toward the top.
“Everybody wants to compete for a state championship,” said Chandler. “The reality is that we’re really glad to be at one of the handful of schools that have a legitimate shot to do that. We have all of the resources to do it. Our goal is to compete for state championships. But we want to win the region, and we want to play at home in the playoffs, especially if we’re blessed to get there.”
The Bulldogs are coming, and they’re going to be a problem for any team they face this season.
Yesterday, 11:36 AM
I did get to check out Hazard and Leslie County in a 7 on 7 last Friday. Hazard definitely faster than last year. Numerous skills kids and I didn’t see many drops. Quarterback moves really well and got a good crisp throw. A few freshmen pushing big time for PT and expect a few to play a lot. Defense didn’t give up much. Leslie receivers made a couple tough catches. After subbing Hazard give up a some catches because of falling asleep in the secondary. Coach absolutely let them have it…
