When the Berea Pirates were added to Harlan’s 2019 schedule last spring, it looked like the perfect opponent for a team in a rebuilding season. Berea had lost 43 straight games over four years before ending last season with an 18-0 win over Jellico, Tenn.

Berea looked like a much different team in its season-opening 53-18 win last week at Jackson County. The Pirates fell 40-12 to Jackson County during last year’s 1-9 campaign,

“We are not the old Berea,” Berea coach Aaron Stepp told the Richmond Register after the win. “That’s all I can say. I told these kids two years ago when I came (to coaching) that this was over. Being everyone’s doormat, that is over.”

Senior quarterback Jaylen Whitaker had four touchdowns (two passing, two running) as the Pirates scored more points against the Generals than they had in any game in almost five years.

“Coach Stepp brought them from the depths when he was there before in the late 90s. It was just a little quicker than I expected,” Perry said. “He’s a heck of a coach. He coached with brother (Jerry Perry) at Garrard County. I knew he would turn them around. They have a nice team.”

Harlan enters the game with a 0-1 mark after a forfeit loss last week to Harlan County. The game was dropped from the schedule in the summer when the Dragons struggled to field a team. Numbers on the roster reached 26 when school started and Perry likes what he has seen so far.

“It was like going back to camp,” Perry said. “We are focusing on getting better every day. We’re still a work in progress. I don’t think we’ll see our true team until midseason. I think we learned a lot from the Lynn Camp scrimmage (a 19-0 loss). We’ve had some kids step into leadership roles. I’ve seen a different focus since last Monday, and I hope it carries over to the game.”

The Pirates had lost four straight to Jackson County and fell behind 6-0 early in the annual rivalry matchup.

“We were a little slow out of the gate,” Stepp said. “Then, we kind of got rolling.”

Whitaker hit Cody Moore on a 30-yard pass with 8:31 left in the first quarter to put Berea on top, and the Pirates never trailed again.

Whitaker scored on a 10-yard TD run with 5:57 left before halftime. After a big punt return by Moore, sophomore Jaiden Cunningham scored from about 10 yards out to put Berea up 21-6.

Whitaker connected with his brother, Jared, on a touchdown pass moments later.

“He’s a big kid and a good athlete,” said Perry of the Berea quarterback. “He can sling it a mile, and he can run. He will be a handful. They also have a good running back. They are going to be tough. It’s not what people expect from Berea.”

Perry said the Dragons are coming off a good week of practice “after going back to the drawing board.”

One drawback of the increased intensity in practice was an injury to quarterback Connor Scearse, who is considered doubtful for Friday’s game after suffering a shouder injury. Shane Lindsey would likely get the start if Scearse is unable to play. Ethan Clem, the Dragons’ top running back, could also see action at quarterback.

“We have to sustain drives and take advantage of what they give us. They have a nice team. I think we’ll have a nice team. Are we ready now? I don’t know. We’ll see,” Perry said. “I love the attitude. I would be shocked if we didn’t come out and play well.”