[Demarcus ware]

Just wanted to share this article that was in The Harlan Daily Enterprise about the Black Bears..

Black Bears working toward season
by John Middleton
Sports Editor



With the bulk of last season’s regional championship squad returning Harlan County began summer practice as a favorite in 5A. Since then, the HCHS coaching staff has been working to mold the current group of Black Bears into a team capable of capturing more hardware in 2013.

Harlan County returns eight starters on the offensive side of the ball and six on defense, and coach Tom Larkey said his current team could be the most talented he has coached.

“This is probably the best shape team I have had. We have a lot talent and kids that can play. We just have to put them in the right spots,” he said.

However, Larkey added that talent won’t necessarily translate to wins on Friday night.

‘They are talented, but it depends on what they want to do and how hard they work,” he said. “We have some that have to learn to be coachable and play as a team. I don’t care how much talent you have got — if you don’t work hard and be committed it doesn’t mean a lot. It’s the little things that this team has to work on. Some of them don’t have anythying to do with football.”

The Harlan County offensive line has led the way by doing the “little things” this summer. The unit returns four starters from last season and should be among the best in southeastern Kentucky.

“What impresses me the most is our linemen. They have a great attitude and work ethic. There is a lot of experience and Carson Whitehead is back there as a blocking back,” Larkey said. “We just have to get some other people to have a little more of that attitude.”

Improving the mental side of his football team is Larkey’s primary concern.

“We have to work harder at some things and improve our attitude at times, but other than that things are normal,” he said. “I know everyone expects us to have a good year, but it will depend on how hard kids want it. You cant just walk out there on Friday nights and expect to win — you have to work as a team.”

Harlan County will begin the season Aug. 15 at home in the Southeastern Kentucky Conference Gridorama against Knox Central at 6:30 p.m. The Black Bears will open the regular season on Aug. 24 at Madison Central in the Roy Kidd Bowl.