Unlike a year ago, when they had to replace 19 of 22 starters, the Harlan County Black Bears will be an experienced team when they open football practice next spring.

The Black Bears struggled with their youth in an 0-4 start but won three of four in district competition to capture their fifth 5A district championship The Bears move to 4A next year and will likely open as the second-ranked team behind perennial powerhouse Johnson Central and ahead of Letcher Central, Perry Central and Clay County.

The Bears bring back nine starters on offense and eight on defense, even though they lose their top offensive playmaker in Patrick Bynum and top tackler in Garry Henson, along with Lucas Holbrook, their most experienced lineman. Starting running backs Ben Landis and Tyler Casolari return, along with Jacob Wilson, J Harris and Cody Clayborn, who took turns starting at quarterback this year. Noah Saylor, Bradley Wilson, Jordan Steele and Billy Fields return on the line.

Key players back on defense include linemen Elisha Smallwood, Steele and Hunter Helton, linebackers Josh Turner, Hunter Blevins and Gavin Ewald and safety Jacob Bailey. Kobe Burkhart, a sophomore linebacker who missed most of the season due to a shoulder injury, should also play a big role.

Harlan County’s schedule next fall doesn’t appear to be quite as tough as in recent years with non-district opponents Ashland and Tates Creek moving off — replaced by Harlan and Sheldon Clark. Johnson Central, a state contender for several years, will be added to the schedule, along with Clay County. The Bears no longer will have district games against Whitley County and North Laurel, who remained in 5A.

HCHS 2019 schedule

Aug. 23 Harlan

Aug. 30 at Hazard

Sept. 6 Sheldon Clark

Sept. 13 Knox Central

Sept. 20 at Wayne County

Sept. 27 at Clay County

Oct. 4 Letcher Central

Oct. 11 Open

Oct. 18 at Johnson Central

Oct. 25 Perry Central

Nov. 1 at Bell County

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Harlan will face a similar situation to Harlan County this year with seven starters on both side of the ball graduating, including two-way starters Kilian Ledford, Will Varner, John Brady Brock and Caleb Adkins in the skilled positions and linemen Franklin Davis and Garrett Begley. Tight end Josh Burkhart and defensive back Jarrett McKenzie also graduate.

The Dragons will rebuild their defense around tackle Jordon Howard and linebackers Braydon Shanks, Ethan Clem and Connor Scearse. Linebacker Britt Lawson and defensive back Jeremiah Mills also moved into starting roles on defense as the season progressed and will return. Clem and Jacob Howard will play key roles in the backfield next season, with Scearse likely taking over at quarterback. Jon Eldridge is back as a tight end.

The Dragons’ 2019 schedule will include several changes, including a trip to Harlan County in the opening week. The game will provide a financial boost for the program over the next two years and is only a five-mile bus ride away as the Bears replace South Laurel, a 5A program, as the largest school on the schedule. Harlan has added Class A opponents Berea and Phelps, along with Leslie County. The Dragons will keep Thomas Walker, Va., Williamsburg, Lynn Camp and Pineville on the schedule and could add Jenkins in one of two dates that were still open as of this weekend.

Harlan 2019 schedule

Aug. 23 at HCHS

Aug. 30 Berea

Sept. 6 Phelps

Sept. 13 at Thomas Walker, Va.

Sept. 20 at Middlesboro

Sept. 27 Open

Oct. 4 Open

Oct. 11 Williamsburg

Oct. 18 at Lynn Camp

Oct. 25 at Pineville

Nov. 1 Leslie County

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Unlike last year when they were almost wiped out by graduation, the Black Bears won’t suffer major losses going into next year. They do lose several key players though, including Bynum, who had one of the best one-season careers you will see on the high school level.

The Bears also lose a four-year starter in Henson, the team leader in tackles each of the past three seasons, including 103 this year. Henson started all 47 games played by the Bears over the past four years. He ranks second all-time in tackles behind Carson Whitehead, another four-year starter who helped lead HCHS to regional championships in 2010 and 2012.

The all-time tackle leaders for HCHS over the 11 years since the school opened include:

Carson Whitehead 575

Garry Henson 414

Jake Middleton 407

Caleb Carmical 349

Zach Chitwood 280

Austin Maggard 238

Quintin Mickens 214

Cole Wilson 208

Marcus McMillian 207

Kainer Caudill 200