[bac2369]

Thank God my job is moving me back to Hazard. So I'll get to see the Bulldogs a lot this season.

The 2014 Hazard Bulldogs will be a very tough team. Senior Running Back Brandon Jones is coming off a 2,200 yard rushing season in 2013 as a Junior. I talked to Hazard Assistant Coach Chuck Fugate and he says Brandon Jones is stronger and faster than ever. I'm saying Jones has another 2,000+ rushing yard season. Brandon Jones is a great runner but Jones will running behind one of the toughest Offensive Lines in Class A Football, with a GREAT pair of Senior OT's in Ray Dixon and Houston Smith. Hazard also returns their starting Center- Senior Brandon Miller. But the main reason why I believe Hazard will be a better team in 2014 than in 2013 is because of the growth of Sophomore QB Tanner Morgan. As a Freshman Morgan threw over 2,000 yards and 25 TD's. Morgan will no longer have his favorite target from 2013 in 6'7" Chris Hudson but Morgan will have a speedy Wide-Out in Sophomore (6'2") Jason Johnson and a pretty solid slot receiver in Senior Trey Higgins. Also look to see more of Junior FB/TE Jacob Blanton and Senior Jalen Olinger in the passing game.

From all the people I have talked to about this years team, they all seem to agree on one thing, Hazard's Defense will be led by Junior Safety Cade Fletcher. Fletcher is a hard hitting safety with a nose for the football. Fletcher had 3 INT's and 75 tackles in 2013. Hazard's Defense will be replacing 3 starting Linebackers in Arnett, Meehan, and Roll which combined for over 300 tackles in 2013. Senior LB Jordan Childers and Junior LB Jacob Blanton will be two players I can see stepping in to have 80+ tackle seasons. Plus don't be shocked to see Brandon Jones play more LB/S this season. I don't look for the Hazard DB's to give up many big plays this season; S Cade Fletcher, S Cole Ratcliff, CB Jalen Olinger, CB Dan Turner, CB Zach Hoskins, CB Trey Higgins, and S Jason Johnson all have good speed.


2014 Hazard Bulldogs
Aug 30th - at Pikeville (Pike County Bowl)
Sept 5th - at Letcher Central
Sept 12th - at Somerset
Sept 19th - Fairview
Sept 26th - Breathitt County
Oct 3rd - Prestonsburg
Oct 10th - Harlan
Oct 17th - at Jenkins
Oct 24th - at Pineville
Oct 31st - at Sheldon Clark

Not 100% sure on the dates of the scrimmage games
Scrimmage Games:
at North Laurel
at Belfry

I wouldn't be surprised to see Hazard back in the Class A State Championship
Game.

I think the hazard o-line will be the strong point of the team especially with Jones running behind them.