It’s not been the easiest of off-seasons for the Harlan High School football program.

With 13 of 22 starters gone from last year’s 4-7 team, first-year coach Eric Perry knew he had his work cut out for him when he took the job in the spring. The summer brought a decision to drop a two-game series against crosstown rival Harlan County when only 15 players showed up for the opening two weeks of practice.

“There was some disappointment, but I think we’ve put that behind us and are moving forward,” Perry said. “We have to focus on our season. We have to get better every game and try to peak at the right time. We’ll know we’ll take some lumps, but I think we’ll be in a position to dish some out too. You can’t get too high when things are going well and too low when things aren’t. We have to keep that mentality.”

Harlan shifts to a spread offense this year with juniors Connor Scearse and Ethan Clem taking over as the leaders of the unit following the graduation of Kilian Ledford and Will Varner. Perry likes the way the Dragons have adapted to the new offense.

“I’m trying to simplify things as much as possible. It really has come together,” Perry said. “I think the kids have really taken to it and see a lot of people can touch the ball in what we do.”

Clem ranked third on the team in rushing last year with 199 yards on 29 carries. He will carry the ball much more as a junior.

“Ethan is a hard-nosed runner with deceptive speed,” Perry said. “He will also see some action in the slot.”

Juan Bynum and Britt Lawson will also see action in the backfield, both in the wishbone and one-back sets.

Scearse replaces Varner at quarterback and will be counted on to provide a dual threat. Shane Lindsey will also see action at quarterback and receiver.

“He’s a little raw at quarterback, but he has really taken to this offense and is showing a lot of leadership,” Perry said. “He has a great arm but he doesn’t mind to run it. He is just like another running back who can throw.”

Jon Eldridge is the most experienced receiver on the roster at tight end, where he will be joined by senior Jacob Howard, who shifts from running back.

“I feel really good about our two tight ends. Jon is a weapon we have to use. I think our kids are seeing that. We can split him out and he can make plays. He is fast and has great hands and can jump. We have to get him the ball any chance we get. He can be a huge weapon for us,” Perry said. “Jacob has made the transition very well. He has really taken to it.”

Jeremiah Mills and Evan Browning are expected to take over as the wide receivers, an inexperienced unit with Ledford and Caleb Adkins graduating after accounting for 56 of 67 receptions a year ago.

“Jeremiah has good speed with length. I didn’t realize how fast he was. He can be a weapon for us,” Perry said. “Evan has a great attitude and works hard. He has good hands and runs good routes. They all have to be able to block because we want to be able to run the football.”

An improved offensive line is the key to the success of this year’s offense, according to Perry.

“Our offensive line play has to get a whole lot better. That’s our Achilles heel right now,” Perry said. “That is a big key for the improvement of this team.

Jordan Howard, a 6-2, 270-pound senior, will be counted on as the leader of the unit from his left tackle spot.

“Jordan is probably the most gifted lineman I have,” Perry said. “He’s a big kid who moves really well and is extremely strong. A lot of kids rally behind him. I’m expecting big things from Jordan.”

Will Howard, also a senior, has moved in at right tackle after a two-year absence from football.

“He’s probably improved his conditioning more than anyone we have,” Perry said. “He’s a very smart kid. He hasn’t been in the weight room that much, so he has to do things right to be successful.”

Wil McCarthy, a 6-2, 260-pound senior, is the only other returning starter on the offensive line at center.

“Wil is a very good leader. He’s very positive and works really hard,” Perry said.

There are several candidates for the two open guard spots, led by sophomore Hunter Dixon, senior Jacob Surber and junior Isaiah Hall.

“They aren’t real big, but they all move well. I’ve seen a lot of improvement from Hunter,” Perry said. “Surber just needs confidence. He has the tools to help us. Isaiah gives us really good effort.”

Defense has always been Perry’s specialty and he says this year’s unit will have to provide a spark for an inexperienced offense.

“I think if we can get better defensively it will carry over to us offensively,” he said. “Rarely do you see it the other way. That is what we’re really focusing on, and I think the kids have bought into that.

“They have to be good tacklers, and we’re making some strides there. We’ve come a long way. I feel we have some good team speed there. I really like what I’m seeing right now. It all goes back to learning how to play full speed.”

Perry is counting on an experienced group of linebackers, led by Scearse and Britt Lawson on the outside and Clem on the inside, to lead the defense.

“The film I’ve watched, Connor did some real good things on defense last year. He has gotten a lot bigger and stronger,” Perry said. “Britt isn’t a real big kid, but he doesn’t care to throw his body around. He has good strength and he runs well. We have to put them all in position to make plays.”

Clem was second on the team in tackles last year with 40 and will be counted on for another big season.

“Ethan will be our leader on defense. He’s a good tackler who runs well and does what you ask,” Perry said. “He packs a punch.”

Dixon, Hall and Surber are the leading candidates at the other inside linebacker spot.

Jordan Howard is the only starter back on the defensive front at tackle.

“He’s really finding what we are looking for in defense. We don’t have anyone who can block him,” said Perry. “I really like how he has come along. We can move him around. I look for great things from him.”

McCarthy is a leading candidate at the other tackle, with senior Jesse Whitehead and sophomore Jon Lewis also in the mix.

Jacob Howard moves from linebacker to nose guard and has impressed the coaching staff with his performance.

“He has good feet and will be a key player for that group,” Perry said. “He played some linebacker, but we feel with his foot speed he can help us more down there. Our defense revolves around nose guard.”

Mills and Juan Bynum give the Dragons a pair of playmakers at cornerback. Mills had four interceptions in a scrimmage against Lynn Camp and has impressed Perry with his speed. Bynum, a transfer from Harlan County, is quickly learning the Dragons’ system.

“I feel really good about our corners. They have really good speed and both are picking up on our coverages,” Perry said. “Sometimes Juan wants to do his own thing. When he does what we want him to do he’s pretty good. Mills is long and hard to throw at. He’s a heady kid who can run all day. Mills and Britt Lawson are full-go all the time.”

Eldridge, at 6-4, gives the Dragons one of the region’s tallest safeties following a move from end.

“I think I threw some of our coaches for a loop when I said I thought Jon would be a good safety,” Perry said. “He has good speed and can jump and will be hard to throw over.”

Lindsey, a junior, is expected to start at the other safety.

“He will knock your block off,” Perry said. “He is a lot like his uncles, Ryland and Will Pope, with how hard he plays.”

The specialty jobs are up for grabs, according to Perry, with Bynum the early favorite at punter and Mills or Bynum handling kickoffs.

Four-time defending champ Williamsburg is the heavy favorite in this year’s District 8 race. Harlan is much like Lynn Camp and Pineville, with all three in different stages of rebuilding.

“I think it’s obvious Williamsburg is the favorite,” Perry said. “I couldn’t tell you two through four. I have no clue.”

Perry is setting high goals for the program, including the first regional championship in school history.

“We haven’t talked a lot about our district. We have talked about whether we’re OK with mediocre or do we want to compete for regional championships,” Perry said. “I’m not thinking about district championships. I want us to be focused on the bigger picture. District championships are great, but regional championships are a lot better.”

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Harlan 2019 schedule

Aug. 23 at Harlan County (1-0 loss, forfeit)

Aug. 30 Berea

Sept. 6 Phelps

Sept. 13 at Thomas Walker, Va.

Sept. 20 at Middlesboro

Sept. 27 Jenkins

Oct. 4 Open

Oct. 11 Williamsburg

Oct. 18 at Lynn Camp

Oct. 25 at Pineville

Nov. 1 Leslie County