[Axel Foley]

I think the Black Bears are too strong. Harlan Co. 42-0.

[geauxtigers75]

Harlan County with a running clock by the half.


Harlan County 49
Lincoln County 6

[FIRST]

Harlan Co. will win this game and the rest of the regional games by 30+.

[Blue fan]

HC by 40

[bear claw]

WOW, FIRST, that is an awfully bold prediction there.

[bigguy989]

HC is known for the cannon going off after a score but during this game after the first score of the game all I saw was smoke from the cannon and a roar that was probably heard miles away, this was unbelievable for a high school game in the mountains. Thanks

[Granny Bear]

That is so strange that you said that bigguy!! I live about 1.5 miles away from the stadium, and my next door neighbor told me that she heard us every time they scored.
She worked late, and was following the game on the radio; sitting outside. Wow what a different a few days has made in the weather!!

[NL#1]

Harlan has a great team and will win!

[bear claw]

I am very good friends with a guy from Bell and he said he has never heard roars like there was from HC side Friday night.

[LeeCoUKFan]

I think that the Lincoln Co Patriots will come to Harlan Co and be aww struck at the sight of the new stadium and the deafening sound of 6,000 screaming Black Bear fans!! I think they will be very lucky to score in this one!

Harlan Co. - 49

Lincoln Co. - 7

[Granny Bear]

Wait a minute...6,000 screaming Black Bear fans with air horns, cow bells (got the blisters to prove this one), bazookas and trumplets! I think one fan has a set of mac truck horns hooked to a compressor, too. Slightly on the redneck side, too!! It sounds like we're bringing down the walls of Jericho!!

[GetChili]

Wait a minute...6,000 screaming Black Bear fans with air horns, cow bells (got the blisters to prove this one), bazookas and trumplets! I think one fan has a set of mac truck horns hooked to a compressor, too. Slightly on the redneck side, too!! It sounds like we're bringing down the walls of Jericho!!

I hope none of the neighbors are sleeping during the game. haha

[BlackBearDenMother]

Ok, the poll is 30 to 0 in favor of HC. What's with this lovefest, lol. Where are all the naysayers...William Munny, I KNOW you're picking against the Bears. Come out come out whereever you are..........

[Granny Bear]

I hope none of the neighbors are sleeping during the game. haha

I don't believe any of the neighbors CAN sleep during the game!

[Granny Bear]

Ok, the poll is 30 to 0 in favor of HC. What's with this lovefest, lol. Where are all the naysayers...William Munny, I KNOW you're picking against the Bears. Come out come out whereever you are..........

It was so good to see your baby at the game DenMother!!!
Did you see that big horse sitting in my lap!??!
nicker:

[BlackBearDenMother]

It was so good to see your baby at the game DenMother!!!
Did you see that big horse sitting in my lap!??!
nicker:

LOL....I saw him down there with you, but I didn't see him sitting on your lap. And you could walk after that???:eek:

[Granny Bear]

It was not a problem; my feet were numb!!!!

[Patriot]

No quit in Harlan County’s Tucker Lewis
09:05 PM, Tuesday, October 30

CHRIS JONES|Daily Enterprise Harlan County senior Tucker Lewis has battled back from a pair of knee injuries to contribute to the Black Bears this season.
JOHN MIDDLETON
Sports Editor
There was a time when it appeared Tucker Lewis’ football career would come to a premature conclusion due to a pair of season-ending knee injuries. Fortunately for Black Bear fans, that possibility was never an option for the Harlan County standout.
“There was never really any thought about not playing football. It was kind of a bump in the road, but things happen. If you love something you don’t stop, you just keep rolling,” Lewis said. “This year has been overwhelming. I have worked so hard to get back out there — it just feels amazing to get back on the field with those guys.”
Lewis emerged onto the scene when he started for the Bears as a freshman. However, ACL injuries forced him to sit out much of the next two seasons. Two long rehabilitation stints later, he is back where he belongs — on the football field.
“He has been through a lot. When a kid has a knee injury like he did, a lot of times kids wont come back after the first time, let alone a second time,” said Harlan County coach Tom Larkey. “He has really faced a lot of adversity in his high school career, but he never would give up. He was always there with the team, even when he wasn’t able to play.”
Lewis’ toughness and perseverance have made him an inspiration in the Harlan County locker room.
“Tucker is a real leader. He is an outstanding young man and a great football player. It is just great to be around him,” Larkey said.
After missing most of his sophomore and junior season’s, Lewis has helped to pave the way for the state’s top rushing attack this year. Behind the punishing fullback, Harlan County has piled up 3,798 yards on the ground this season. Lewis has also carried the ball 14 times for 158 yards and two touchdowns.
“You wouldn’t believe the times I have turned around and told Jake (Middleton) to follow me to the promised land. It is not a real glorified position, but it is really important,” Lewis said. “Our line does a good job, so if I can get through there and make a big block it will be a big play. If we are going to win a game and I can help by blocking then I will block my tail off all night.”
Lewis has also contributed heavily on the defensive side of the ball, where he has transitioned from middle linebacker to defensive end. He is currently fifth on the team with 57 total tackles.
“I can really use my size and strength at that position a lot better than I could at linebacker. I get to be one-on-one a lot of times with a lineman in front of me. It was rough at first because I had never played there,” said Lewis. “Coach Reynolds has taught me some different techniques. I can really get after it from that position.”
Lewis and the Black Bears will open the state 5A playoffs Friday at home against Lincoln County.
“I don’t plan on losing any games from here on out,” Lewis said. “We are going to work to make it to Bowling Green. I think we have a real shot.”


More Sharing ServicesShare This Article|Share on facebookShare on google_plusoneShare on diggShare on fark
Comments (0) Post a Comment
No Comments Yet


Read more: The Harlan Daily Enterprise

[Patriot]

Injury didn’t diminish Maggard’s impact at HC
09:05 PM, Wednesday, October 24

CHRIS JONES|Daily Enterprise Austin Maggard's impact will long be felt at Harlan County.
JOHN MIDDLETON
Sports Editor
Austin Maggard’s season was cut short following a shoulder injury against Letcher Central, but the standout senior had left his mark on the Harlan County program long before then.
“The kids really look up to Austin. He is a team player,” said Harlan County coach Tom Larkey. “He never complains about anything. He is the kind of player you can win with.”
Maggard has been a fixture in the Bears’ lineup since he was a freshman, and is one of the few players to start for four years at Harlan County.
“When he was a freshman coach (Ovie) Canady was looking for someone that could come up and hit from that corner position. He had looked at three or four different people as possibilities and still couldn’t find what he wanted,” Larkey recalled. “So, coach (Scott) Caldwell said to bring Austin up, because he remembered him from middle school. We brought him up there and we found out right then that he was the right guy for the job. He has made a great defensive player for us.”
Maggard was one of Harlan County’s top receivers on the offensive side of the ball, but was asked to move under center this season.
“You have to know where everyone has to go on every play, in case they don’t know their responsibility. You have to be a leader and always lead by example,” Maggard said of his new position.
While Maggard is a standout on the football field, he shines just as much off of the gridiron.
“Austin is a good leader and a great kid. I love being around him, and the kids love being around him. He always has a smile on his face,” Larkey said. “He is not one that does any kind of complaining. He just does his job.”
It’s that demeanor that makes Maggard a leader for his teammates.
“I just always try to be positive out there on the field, and be happy about what I am doing. I have always wanted to play football,” he said. “I don’t really lead by yelling at people, I try to lead by example. I just try to get them to follow my example by always showing up on time for practice and always working hard in the weight room.”


More Sharing ServicesShare This Article|Share on facebookShare on google_plusoneShare on diggShare on fark
Comments (0) Post a Comment
No Comments Yet


Read more: The Harlan Daily Enterprise

[Patriot]

Middleton excels in athletics and academics
09:05 PM, Monday, October 29

DEBBIE CALDWELL/Daily Enterprise Harlan County's Jake Middleton is a leader on the football field and in the classroom.
JOHN MIDDLETON
Sports Editor
Most football fans know Harlan County’s Jake Middleton for his exploits on the gridiron, but that is just one of the many areas where the standout tailback shines.
“You can only say great things about Jake. He is a great kid and a great football player,” said Harlan County coach Tom Larkey. “He just has the kind of personality that you fall in love with. He is not a complainer. He is not jealous or envious of anybody. When it is his turn he is going to do all he can.”
Middleton is one of the top performing Black Bears in the classroom, and insists that academics, not athletics, are his top priority.
“I put academics before I do sports. I feel a lot better if I am one of the top students in the school, than I do if I am one of the top football players. I feel like that is more important than anything,” Middleton said.
“He is one of the top students in his senior class. He has high tests scores and a high grade-point average. He is a super kid in the classroom and is really a teacher’s dream to have,” Larkey added.
On the football field, Middleton is having one of the best seasons in school history. He has rushed for 1,757 yards and 24 touchdowns on 219 carries this year and is currently third in the state in scoring. Middleton is also a standout on the defensive side of the football, and is one of the team’s leading tacklers.
“He has some vision about him. I also feel he has a lot of trust in the people ahead of him,” Larkey said. “He is just the type of tailback that you can count on. He just hits up in the hole and does his best.”
Much like his effort in the classroom, it is Middleton’s work ethic in the weight-room and the offseason that allows him to excel on the gridiron.
“I know that nothing is ever given to you, especially if you are not naturally more athletic than other people. You have to work to get where you need to be. I know it takes a lot of hard work. Without hard work you will never succeed in life,” he said. “I figured it would be really hard to get playing time because of all of the talent coming from the other schools. I wanted to be one of the best to come from Harlan County. That was has been my goal.”
Middleton said he hopes that work ethic can help lead the Black Bears to another regional championship.
“We want another regional championship,” he said. “I think that the younger kids look at how I work and see that it does pay off. I hope they see how being unselfish and a team player will make the team better.”


More Sharing ServicesShare This Article|Share on facebookShare on google_plusoneShare on diggShare on fark
Comments (0) Post a Comment
No Comments Yet


Read more: The Harlan Daily Enterprise

[Patriot]

Three good stories on three of the best ever at Harlan County!

[Granny Bear]

Great articles!! I can't wrap my head around the Seniors who are playing their last!!

Thank you Seniors!!!

[Daddycat27]

I hope they accomplish their goal! To win a state championship! 3 great young men, to go with the other 70. Larkey an co. Run a top notch program. I hope they are rewarded for their hard work! I will be there every step of the way!

[MeMawBear]

The Bears are gonna roll!
HC 40
Lincoln County 0

[Bear_Paw]

Great Job Tye!

Harlan County’s Ely leads by example

Tyler Ely

JOHN MIDDLETON

Sports Editor

Despite an offensive line featuring four new starters, the Harlan County Black Bears currently lead the state in rushing. As the lone returning starter along the offensive front, much of that success can be credited to Tyler Ely.

“I think the other kids look up to him a lot because he did play some last year. It is really important to have a senior on the offensive line,” said Harlan County coach Tom Larkey. “Tyler is a quiet leader. He is not an outspoken person at all. He just does what he has to do on the line of scrimmage and does his job well.”

The senior tackle has been a constant for the Black Bears this season. Ely started all 10 games in the regular season, and his experience and leadership have helped to create one of the best lines in southeastern Kentucky and arguably the state.

“I knew they could all step up and take the role that they have. It has been fun,” Ely said.

Much of Ely’s success on the field can be credited to the work he puts in during the offseason and in the weight-room.

“He has gotten a lot stronger, because he never misses a day of weights. Commitment is one of his big traits. His dedication in then offseason is outstanding,” Larkey said. “You can always count on Tyler to be there and work his butt off every day. He is one of those kids that really works hard in the offseason and does whatever it takes to help the team win.”

Ely’s relentless work ethic serves as a good example for his teammates.

“I just go out and go hard in practice every day and try to lead by example. I have to go in the weight-room and work harder than everybody else, because it doesn’t come as easy to me. I just want to work as hard as I can, and hopefully everybody else will to,” Ely said. “I think that I need to try as hard as I can at everything that I do.”

That dedication has also carried into the classroom.

“He is a wonderful kid. Tyler is a great student. He’s the type of kid you would want to have in class,” Larkey said.

Ely and the Black Bears will begin postseason play Friday at home against Lincoln County.


Read more: The Harlan Daily Enterprise - Harlan County’s Ely leads by example

[MtnHSFootballFan]

Wait a minute...6,000 screaming Black Bear fans with air horns, cow bells (got the blisters to prove this one), bazookas and trumplets! I think one fan has a set of mac truck horns hooked to a compressor, too. Slightly on the redneck side, too!! It sounds like we're bringing down the walls of Jericho!!

Talk about intimidating to a foe. Harlan County by a landslide!

[Patriot]

Beat me to it Bear Paw, got on here to add Ealy's story! Loving all these articles about our Boys!

We beat Lincoln 55-24 or something close last year, expecting something similar this week!

I hear Whitehead is out for this game!

[BB CLAW]

The Harlan County Black Bears must stay focused on the goal. Week by Week. Can't afford to be overlooking anyone. I am sure that Coach Larkey and Staff are pounding this fact. Week By Week Black Bears! A feeding frenzy every Friday Night, all the way to the big one in Bowling Green. GO BLACK BEARS!!!!!SMACK 'EM IN THE MOUTH!!!!!

[Granny Bear]

Great picture of Tye, BearPaw!!
He's a cutie!!

[Granny Bear]

Hey MeMawBear!! You're new; welcome to the site and have a wonderful time supporting the Black Bears!!!!!!