With a 6-1 mark going into Friday’s game at Johnson Central, the Harlan County Black Bears are off to their best start since 2011. The Bears will find out just how good they are against Johnson Central, one of the state’s top 4A teams and a perennial powerhouse since Jim Matney took over as coach in 2004.

“We can’t give up big plays. We must make them sustain long drives to score,” said Harlan County coach Eddie Creech. “Johnson Central beats most teams before they even get off the bus. I am anxious to see how where our guys’ minds are that first series or so.”

Johnson Central brings back seven starters on both offense and defense from last year’s 13-2 team that fell 14-12 to Franklin Simpson in the 4A state finals. The Eagles won a state title in 2016 and finished second in 2015, 2017 and 2018. The Eagles bring a 7-0 record into Friday’s game and have outscored their opponents 312-79.

“Johnson Central’s success didn’t come immediately. Coach Matney has built that thing up through continuity, a solid weight program, a stellar wrestling program and maintaining a hard working staff around him,” Creech said. “They have been on another level the last four years or so. Their kids play hard and are football smart.”

Quarterback Ryley Preece and running backs Devin Johnson and Bryce Tackett are leaders for the Eagles on offense, along with receivers Ryan Sartin-Slone and Zach Rusell and linemen Grant Bingham and Andrew Clifton. Linebacker Hunter McCloud and lineman Braiden Castle lead the defense, along with Dylan Preston, Cody Rice, Johnson, Tackett and Preece.

Preece has completed 21 of 30 passes for 586 yards and nine touchdowns. Johnson is first in rushing with 653 yards and eight touchdowns. McCloud is first in tackles with 57.

Harlan County lost two key players on offense in their win two weeks ago against Letcher Central, and Creech said both receiver Justin Brown and fullback Demarco Hopkins are questionable for Friday due to injuries.

Ben Landis has led the HCHS offense with 631 yards and seven touchdowns through six games. Hopkins is second with 341 yards, followed by Tyler Casolari with 267 yards. Brown is first in receptions with 11 for 254 yards. Matt Brown has 10 catches for 235 yards. Jacob Wilson has completed 24 of 43 passes for 436 yards.

Junior linebackers Josh Turner and Hunter Blevins lead the defense with 58 and 56 tackles, respectively. Gavin Ewald is third with 52.