- Senior Salute: Leland Gantz
- 2024 Final Leaders: Southeastern Indiana
- 2024 NKFCA Top 26
- 2024 OPSMA Division I All-Ohio Teams, Ponatoski tabbed as OPOY
- 2024 OPSMA Division II All-Ohio Teams; Burnam named Co-OPOY
- 2024 OPSMA Division III All-Ohio Teams
- 2024 OPSMA Division IV All-Ohio Football Teams; Taft’s Pavey named Co-DPOY
- 2024 OPSMA Division V All-Ohio Football Teams
- 2024 OPSMA Division VI All-Ohio Football Teams
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2016 Snapshot: Harrison County
- Updated: June 18, 2016
There are some real positives in the way Harrison County finished the 2015 season but there are also some things to be worked. After starting off 1-4 the Thorobreds rebounded under first year head coach, Neil Furnish. They wound up winning three of four games in District play only to bow out in a heartbreaking two-point loss to Greenup County in round one of the playoffs.
The team lost 19 senior from that squad and will return 15 from the junior class. The Thorobreds were in the state’s Top 10 in passing yards last season but will have to replace their starting quarterback. To keep the momentum going the underclassmen are going to have to step up. “We have had a good off season with a lot of our young kids developing. Our defense and offensive line should be experienced,” Furnish states.
Winning the war in the trenches is paramount for this team’s success. The Thorobreds have to grit it out, make stops on defense and get off the field. Harrison County allowed 345.5 yards of total offense (266.5 rushing) and 36.6 points per game a year ago. If they can rise up on defense the Thorobreds could be in for their first winning season since 2007.
Class 4A, District 7
2015 RECORD: 4-7, 3-1 Class 4A, District 7
COACH: Neil Furnish (4-7 at Harrison County, one year; 4-7 overall, one year)
TOP RETURNEES
Keishon Gilkey, Sr, WR – The Thorobreds big play threat In just six games as a junior, Gilkey caught seven passes for 163 yards and a touchdown.
Luke Slucher, Sr, RB/LB – Slucher will play a major role on both sides of the ball. He has 478 yards rushing, four touchdowns, 11 receptions, 40 tackles and two fumble recoveries at the varsity level.
Logan Kellione, Sr, LB – Kellione let opposing coaches and teams get to know who he was a year ago. He finished with 93 total tackles and a fumble recovery.
Oakie Barnes, Sr, TE – Injuries cut Barnes’ junior season short. He plans to factor into the offense from the tight end position.
Russ Faulconer, Sr, OL – The Thorobreds need Faulconer to lead by example on the field. His steadying presence up front is a plus for the o-line.
NEWCOMERS
Ben Vanhook, Jr, QB – Vanhook will head into the season as a favorite to start under center.
Chase Blanton, So, RB – All signs point to a breakout campaign for Blanton.
TC Abbott, So, WR – The varsity debut for Abbott could be a good one. He will definitely get his opportunities to shine.
Conner Marshall, Fr, OL – This incoming freshman has all the makings of being a very special player.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
Harrison County has not won a playoff game since 2008. They were Regional champions ’07 going 10-4. The Thorobreds lost to eventual state champion Lexington Catholic in the state semi-finals. It was the second loss of that season for Harrison County to LexCath.
2016 SCHEDULE
Two new faces on the schedule this fall as West Jessamine replaces East Jessamine and South Laurel replaces North Laurel. To put that in perspective East Jessamine and North Laurel went a combined 18-6 in ’15. West Jessamine and South Laurel were a combined 3-19 a year ago. The combined ’15 record of the Thorobreds foes was 53-65. Seven of those teams lost at least six games.
SHOOTOUT CENTRAL
The Thorobreds and four opponents in ’15 combined to score 71 or more points in a contest. Harrison County went 1-3 in those games. They went 2-6 when there were 43 or more total points scored in a contest.
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