With a five-game losing streak to Knox Central now in their rear-view mirror following a 28-21 victory last week, the Harlan County Black Bears turn their attention to ending a two-game losing streak against Wayne County on Friday in Monticello.

Wayne County has become a 4A power under coach Shawn Thompson the past decade and rolled to decisive victories over the Bears each of the past two years — 47-14 in 2017 in Monticello and 40-12 at HCHS last year. The only other meeting between the two schools occurred in the 2008 3A playoffs as the Bears won 38-21 at Wayne in the first postseason game in school history. Wayne County made it all the way to the state finals by 2013, falling 3-0 to Belfry. The Cardinals won three straight regional titles from 2015 to 2017, falling to Johnson Central each year in the state semifinals

“Wayne County gets the most out of their players year in and year out. Coach Thompson gets his kids to play so hard,” Harlan County coach Eddie Creech said. “Their tailback will be a lock for all-state. He has been running all over everybody they have played. It will be a tall task to go into that type of environment and win, but it is an opportunity to turn some heads.”

Junior running back Braeden Sloan has rushed for 728 yards and 13 touchdowns on 68 carries and has eight receptions for 202 yards. Junior quarterback Brody Weaver has completed 36 of 69 passes for 669 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior receiver Tito Ruiz has 10 catches for 152 yards. Senior linebacker Cody Vaughn and sophomore linebacker Lee Shelton lead the defense with 35 and 32 tackles, respectively.

Wayne County (3-1) opened the season with a win over Shelby County, then fell to Pulaski County before wins the past two weeks over Rockcastle County and Southwestern.

Harlan County (4-0) has had to come from behind the last three weeks for wins over Hazard, Martin County and Knox Central.

The Bears are led on offense by senior receiver Justin Brown, who has six catches for 198 yards, and senior running back Ben Landis, with 235 yards rushing. Junior linebackers Josh Turner and Hunter Blevins have led the defense with 33 and 31 tackles, respectively. Blevins helped seal the win last week with an 85-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

“Blevins is finally learning to play like he looks,” Creech said. “I’m so proud of him.”

The Bears have been hit by injuries the last couple of weeks, beginning with a season-ending injury suffered by sophomore defensive end Cullen Whitaker against Hazard. Kobe Burkhart moved from linebacker to take over at end and also went down with an injury and is out this week. Senior center Noah Saylor was sidelined last week with a foot injury but returned when Lake Caudill, who replaced him, went down with a knee injury. Caudill is out this week and Saylor is questionable. Junior linebacker Braydon Shanks is doubtful for the game due to an ankle injury.

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Harlan (0-4) is open this week. The Green Dragons will return to action on Sept. 27 at home against Jenkins.