[UncleRico]

Harlan County returns a wealth of talent at the skill positions, but must find replacements along the offensive front.

The Bears lost three starters from the offensive line, including tackle Alex Haywood, guard Travis Fields and center Jesse Hensley. Senior Michael Smith, one of the best returning linemen in southeastern Kentucky will anchor the line at tackle. Senior D.J. Brock returns at the other tackle spot. Sophomore Carson Whitehead will take over at one guard position, with sophomore J.W. Cooper likely joining him on the other side. Senior Chase Calton is expected to take over for Hensley at center.

Jordy Brewer is back under center. The senior signal-caller completed 29 of 55 pass attempts for 455 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Senior Marcus McMillian returns at tailback. McMillian rushed for a team-high 1,325 yards last season. Senior Cody Taylor also returns from a knee injury that forced him to miss nearly all of last season. Taylor rushed for 864 yards as a sophomore.

Junior Jake Middleton returns at halfback after rushing for 354 yards in a breakout season last year.

Junior Tucker Lewis is expected to take over at fullback after missing all of last season with a knee injury.

Middleton will likely also see time at receiver. He led the Bears with nine receptions for 123 yards last year.

Junior Austin Maggard and sophomores Scotty Bailey and Treyvon Long could also see action at receiver.

Junior Aaron Caldwell will take over duties at tight end.

Like the offensive side of the ball, the only question mark on the Harlan County defense will be along the line.

The biggest hole to fill will be that of 5A District 8 Player of the Year Jordan Calton at strong-side end. The Bears must also find replacements for Brain Owens and Jeremiah Eldridge at the tackle spots.

Whitehead will move to strong-side end from middle linebacker, where he tallied 21 solo tackles and 89 assisted tackles last year.

Smith is expected to provide a physical presence at defensive tackle, with Kainer Caudill and Coty Miracle both seeing time at nose tackle.

McMillian could move from cornerback down to weak-side defensive end, but sophomores Cole Wilson and Derek Akal are also expected to see time there.

Middleton returns at rover, where he led Harlan County with 42 solo tackles and 115 assisted tackles a season ago.
Lewis will return at middle linebacker. He recorded 17 solo tackles and 73 assisted tackles as a freshman in 2009.

Maggard returns at corner, where he had two interceptions last season. Taylor is back at the other corner spot.

Brewer and sophomore Zach Chitwood are back at the safety positions. Brewer led the team with six interceptions last year, while Chitwood had 17 solo tackles and 35 assisted tackles.

McMillian, Bailey and Long could also see time in the secondary.

Harlan County also returns senior kicker Josh Jenkins. He booted 47 extra-points and one field goal last season.