The Hopkins County Central Storm averaged 29 points a game a year ago, despite posting a 4-6 record.
Even in its losses, the Storm was able to put points on the scoreboard.
With several key returners back this season, Hopkins Central hopes it can build on those numbers.
Head coach Chris Manning says his squad just wants to compete week in and week out.
“Our goal is to put in the work it requires on the practice field and in the film room to make us a competitor every Friday night. As a team, we want to ourselves in the position to win each week.”
Junior Isac Earl took over the quarterbacking duties early last season and passed for 1,085 yards and 11 scores. Earl was also a big part of the running game, rushing for 493 yards and another six touchdowns last season.
Senior Zayden Parker looks to take on a bigger role in the backfield after rushing for 331 yards and three TDs a year ago.
Leading receiver Issac Manning, a senior, is back. He made 20 receptions for 355 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. Juniors Jerimiah Groves and Sylas Gunn give Earl two more athletic targets in the passing game.
Up front, seniors Hayden Crick and Carlos Mason will help anchor the Storm line on both sides of the football.
Also keep an eye on freshmen Kaijain Hayes and Marquis Stafford. Hayes could see time at receiver or in the defensive backfield while Stafford could provide depth at the line of scrimmage.
Hopkins Central fell short of a playoff berth last season, and will have its work cut out for it this season in a highly-competitive Class 3A 1st District.
Union County won the district last season while McLean County was runner-up. Hancock County and Webster County also earned playoff berths while Hopkins Central and Trigg County did not advance to postseason play.
“Our District, WOW … we have a tough district,” Manning noted. “We have some good teams and coaches in our district. All the coaches in our district work hard to build a good program for their school and communities. I don’t know who will be sitting at the top after our district play, I just want to be sitting among the top four and moving on to the next round of play.”
The district will return to a four-team lineup starting in 2025, with Murray moving up to join Hopkins Central, Union County and Webster County.
The Storm dropped its opener at Caldwell County 42-6 last week.
Hopkins Central will look to bounce back this week when it plays at home for the first time, hosting Fort Campbell for Homecoming in Mortons Gap.
