CHRIS JONES/Daily Enterprise Harlan County's Cole Wilson broke free for a big gain during a victory against Tates Creek. Wilson has emerged as a big-play threat for the Black Bears this season.

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JOHN MIDDLETON

Sports Editor

With the start of district play just one week away, the Harlan County Black Bears will look to get back on track this week as they host 6A foe George Rogers Clark.

Harlan County’s trip to Winchester last season turned into a shootout with the Bears holding on for a 57-36 win. George Rogers Clark will be without standout running back and Murray State signeePokey Harris this year, but the Cards will still feature several playmakers.

“Defensively, I want to see us continue to improve and get people to the football. Everybody has an assignment to do on against this team. We need to work on our reaction and getting to football,” said Harlan County coach Tom Larkey. “This is a very fast team. If they get in the open field they can score.”

George Rogers Clark normally features a triple-option scheme on offense, led by athletic quarterback Darian Skinner.

“They have a lot of experience on offense, with a very fast quarterback and some fast backs. They like to run a lot of misdirection. We can’t get suckered inside,” said Larkey.

The Harlan County offense struggled to put points on the board in a loss at Knox Central last week. If the Bears are to improve this week, Larkey said his team must correct the “little things.”

“We are still going to run the ball, and try to get into the spread on offense and do some things there. Offensively, we want to try to mix things up and do more things,” Larkey said. “We have to improve on fundamentals and not make mistakes. I felt like we shot ourselves in the foot quite a bit last week. We have to improve on the little things more than anything else.”

The Cardinals enter Friday’s contest at 0-5, with losses to 6A foes Bryan Station, Henry Clay and Scott County along with Montgomery County and Corbin.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.