With new faces in many key spots and the countdown on until the merger with Christian County, the Hopkinsville football team will look to sign off in style in the proud program’s final season.
Second-year head coach Marc Clark knew he’d have a Daisjaun Mercer-sized hole to fill on both sides of the ball after the 1st Team All-WKC selection now suits up at the next level with Miami (OH). The do it all playmaker was a force throughout his career, finishing his senior campaign with 233 yards rushing and 766 receiving on the way to 14 touchdowns. He also picked off four passes, returning one for a score.
All-WKC selections lineman Guy Blythe, RB/DB Trushaun Matt, TE Isaiah Manning, and linebackers CJ Stallworth and Jaron Mills all departed, but it was an unexpected loss that caused the biggest shakeup in the offseason.
Senior quarterback Zach Moss won’t be back under center after a baseball arm injury put him on the sidelines. Moss was an All-WKC pick after throwing for 15 touchdowns and 137 yards per game in his first season as the starter. He was also three for four on field goal tries and connected on 25 of 29 PAT attempts.
Enter junior Aiden King, who Clark tabbed in the offseason to take over signal-calling duties. King’s QB experience is limited to his Bud Hudson days, and he battled a nagging injury as a sophomore, but was solid for the Tigers in 7-on-7 play this summer.
King figures to lean heavily on All-WKC running back Darrius Green. Green was first in carries with 93 as a junior, rushing for 390 yards and four touchdowns to go with seven catches for 81 yards. Another senior, RB/LB Devin Coleman, the Tigers’ captain, provides another option out of the backfield. He ran for 388 yards and four scores as a junior while also making 21 tackles on the defensive side. Junior JoVaun Jackson may see his role expand after running for just over 200 yards in five games last year.
Senior DeOndre Coleman started eight games on offense last year and is projected to be a two-way starter at LB and TE. Junior Treston Kay is another target for King after making ten catches for 168 yards and a TD in 2022.
Ireal Leak leads the returnees on defense after making 56 tackles, 42 solo, as a junior to earn All-WKC recognition. Senior lineman Dequavion Bronaugh is also back after collecting 26 tackles, including four for a loss.
The Tigers open the regular season against Greenwood at Allen County-Scottsville on August 18 and will meet Christian County for the final time in week three. The series between the long-time rivals is knotted at 38-38, with the winner earning all-time bragging rights.
Two weeks later, the Tigers begin district play with a trip to Paducah Tilghman. Hopkinsville has won seven of the last eight against the Blue Tornado, including three straight after a 30-26 victory last season.
A trip to Louisville will close the regular season, with the Tigers facing Pleasure Ridge Park for the first time in program history.
