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5A district 7 and 8?

Class 5A, District 7


1. Madison Southern (7-5): The Eagles surprised many last season by picking up some big wins, but they are no surprise anymore. They are a very talented team with running back Damien Harris leading the way.

2. Pulaski County (9-4): The Maroons are going to be strong defensively with 10 starters returning. They are young, but coach Johnny Hines believes if his team can stay healthy, they have a chance to challenge for the district crown.

3. North Laurel (6-5): Chris Larkey's squad is looking to improve on last season's postseason appearance and should be able to with players such as Michael Nelson and Gabe Blair returning to the mix.

4. Lincoln County (5-6): The Patriots return eight starters on offense and seven on defense, which ahs coach Mike Settles excited about the upcoming season.

5. Southwestern (5-6): The Warriors are coming off a rare losing season and hope to get back to the playoffs under coach Andy Stephens.

6. South Laurel (1-9): Matt Rhymer takes over as new coach of the Cardinal football program.



PRESEASON FAVORITE - MADISON SOUTHERN

Jonathan Clark enters his third year as the Eagles head coach and is excited to see what's in store for his talented squad.

Madison Southern returns one of, if not the best running back in the state in junior Damien Harris. The Eagles also return their all-time leading tackler in senior Tyler Hagan, who recorded 166 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 2012.

"We are entering our third year as a staff at Madison Southern and we have made great strides in the weight room in the past two off-seasons," Clark Said. "Our football IQ has drastically increased. We have a senior class that is very talented and that have been playing together since youth league."

"We have all but three starters returning on a defensive unit that only gave up 19 points a game this past season," he added. "We return three starters on the defensive line, two at linebacker and our entire defensive secondary. On offense, we will return three starters on the offensive line, three in teh backfield and one at wide receiver."



TOP CHALLENGER - PULASKI COUNTY

Johnny Hines' squad might be young, but they are talented. The Maroons are coming off a 9-4 season and will be challenging Madison Southern for the district title. "We are a very young team with several sophomores and freshmen playing extensively," Hines said. "If we can grow together, and stay away from injury, we have a chance to challenge for the district."



2013 PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Damien Harris, Madison Southern, Jr., RB/SS, 5-10, 200. Harris is the returning district player of the year and one of the state's top running backs and the scary thing for opponents - he's only a junior. He carried the ball 160 times for 1,911 yards and 37 touchdowns last season. He was named Max Preps 1st team Sophomore All-American and 2nd team All-State.



PLAYERS TO WATCH

Gabe Blair, North Laurel, Sr., RB/LB, 5-9, 195;
Logan Campisano, Southwestern, Sr., RB, 5-8, 170;
Casey Dionne, Madison Southern, Sr., SS/Slot, 6-1, 180;
Tyler Hagan, Madison Southern, Sr., LB/RB, 5-9, 189;
Mason Helton, Pulaski County, So., ILB, 6-0, 210;
Michael Nelson, North Laurel, Sr., QB-WR-RB/DB, 6-0, 180;
Josh Phelps, South Laurel, Jr., FB/LB;
Marvin Robinson, Lincoln County, Sr., TB, 5-10, 180;
Aaron Smith, Pulaski County, Sr., OLB, 6-0, 202;
Andrew Wilks, Lincoln County, Jr., OT/DE, 6-3, 260.



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Class 5A, District 8



1. Harlan County (11-3): Tom Larkey's Bears have won three straight district titles and it would take a major upset to deny them a fourth with eight starters back on offense and six on defense.

2. Whitley County (7-5): Overtaking Harlan County will be a difficult task with only three starters coming back on defense, but the Colonels probably have enough offense to hold on to second.

3. Perry Central (4-7): The Commodores lost over 90 percent of their running game from a year ago. All-state lineman Joey Sams should make life a little easier for the inexperienced backs. Junior wide receiver Nathan Pray, who had 50 catches for 896 yards and seven touchdowns last year, will ease the transition for sophomore quarterback Seth Napier. Senior Devan Brewer will take over at tailback. Junior linebacker Josh Garry, senior tackle Tyler Fugate, and Pray are among the six starters back on defense.

4. Letcher Central (2-9): In an effort to stop the slide that has taken the Cougars from champs to cellar dwellers, Letcher turned to eastern Kentucky coaching legend Mike Holcomb, who led Breathitt County to three state champions. Holcomb will need big seasons from senior receiver Houston Watts, junior quarterback Zane Blair and junior running back Hunter Hall to move up the ladder in the district.



PRESEASON FAVORITE - HARLAN COUNTY

After their second trip to the state semifinals in three years, the Black Bears appear to be in position to take the next step to Bowling Green. Defense should remain a strength with all-staters Carson Whitehead and Treyvon Long coming back, along with end Cole Wilson, tackle Mark Messer and safeties Zach Chitwood and Scotty Bailey. The offense will feature a variety of big-play threats like Wilson and Long to go with hard-running ball carriers such as Chitwood and Whitehead. The offensive front should also be a strength with four starters back, including center William Banks, tackles Zach Caldwell and Justin Hensley, and guard J.W. Cooper.



HOLDING STEADY - WHITLEY COUNTY

After falling short the past two years in their quest to unseat Harlan County as district champs, the Colonels could spend much of the 2013 season reloading for another run in 2014. Whitley will remain competitive with one of the region's best running backs in Zack Mills, along with three year starter Austin Ysidro at quarterback. Senior linebacker Austin Hooper and Ysidro (at safety) will take over as leaders on defense following the graduation of Boston Bryant.



2013 PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Carson Whitehead, Harlan County, Sr., FB/LB, 6-1, 215. A four-year starter at linebacker, Whitehead has helped build the Bears into a 5A state power with his leadership, consistency and sure-tackling skills that lead to a team-high 191 stops a year ago. Whitehead earned all-state honors on defense last season and should draw the attention of mid-level Division 1 schools. He's also developed into a standout blocker and power runner in the Bears' lethal ground attack.



PLAYERS TO WATCH

Scotty Bailey, Harlan County, Sr., QB/S, 6-1, 190;
William Banks, Harlan County, Sr., C, 6-2, 250;
Zach Caldwell, Harlan County, Jr., OT, 6-2, 260;
Zach Chitwood, Harlan County, Sr., TB/S, 6-0, 175;
Josh Garry, Perry Central, Jr., TE/LB, 6-4, 225;
Austin Hooper, Whitley County, Sr., FB/LB, 5-11, 220;
Treyvon Long, Harlan County, Sr., HB/CB, 5-7, 155;
Zack Mills, Whitley County, So., TB, 5-9, 170;
Nathan Pray, Perry Central, Jr., WR/CB, 5-10, 160;
Joey Sams, Perry Central, Sr., T, 6-0, 265;
Willie Smith, Letcher Central, Sr., T, 6-5, 290;
Houston Watts, Letcher Central, Sr., WR, 5-11, 210;
Cole Wilson, Harlan County, Sr., WR/DE, 6-3, 205;
Austin Ysidro, Whitley County, Jr., QB/S, 6-2, 220.



District 7 - Les Dixion (Corbin Times-Tribune)
District 8 - John Henson (HarlanCountySports.com)