Hancock County finished 6-5 a year ago, bowing out early in the playoffs. Hungry for more, they have their eyes set on a district title this season.
“We’re coming in with a bunch of seniors, and many of those guys provide experience and leadership,” head coach Bobby Eubanks said. “We are expecting big things from them and want to fight for a district championship.”
Hancock County will run a spread-zone offense with a balanced attack. Eubanks said senior quarterback Dylan Morris, who threw for 1,827 passing yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago, will lead the way.
The offense will be looking to replace the production of its receiving and rushing leaders in Garrison Landen (549 receiving yards, 5 TDs) and Aiden Weatherholt (571 rushing yards, 7 TDs). Eubanks looks for Hayden Schenn and Cooper Jones to fill those gaps.
“Hayden Schenn has good speed and great hands,” Eubanks said. “Cooper Jones can blow the top off and is a great track athlete. He can get down the field and has proven it. We have 8-9 guys who can run.”
With his squad’s versatility, Eubanks also looks to go in and out of personnel groupings.
“We can go heavy and run only, or we can spread it out and run zone with guys who can read the field,” he said. “We can also go power and run right at you.”
The defense will run multiple fronts depending on the opposing offense. Up front, Eubanks said the line is fast and strong, can get off blocks, and can fly around the field. Behind them is middle linebacker Ross Powers, who was one of the top tacklers in 3A a year ago.
Eubanks said free safety Cooper Jones would lead the secondary. His coach says he reads the ball well, can run, covers the ground, and is unafraid to hit.
Hancock County will begin the 2024 trek on the road at John Hardin and at Breckinridge County in Week 2 before returning home to face Ohio County in Week 3. All three schools are a class above the Hornets in size.
They return to action in Week 4 for their first district matchup against longtime rival McLean County in Calhoun. This marks the first year for the Owensboro Times to regularly cover Hancock and McLean counties since launching the daily news outlet in 2018.
The Hornets will then host cross-river foe Tell City before returning to district action against Trigg County, Webster County, Union County, and Hopkins County Central. In the final week of the season, they will finish up against Class 5A’s Grayson County on the road.
“I am looking forward to the season,” Eubanks said. “The kids have worked hard and were excited to see all of their work come to fruition.”
