LONDON — The Steven Nelson ERA at North Laurel will kick-off on Log Mountain Friday against Class 3A state runner-up Bell County.
Both teams lost numerous players from last season due to graduation, but the cupboard isn’t bare at either North Laurel or Bell County.
The Bobcats graduated Mr. Football Daniel Thomas while the Jaguars graduated a solid core of seniors that helped guide the football program to the Class 5A, Region 4 title game last season.
The two teams have met three times on the grid with North Laurel coming away with a 30-22 overtime win in 2021 while the Bobcats pulled off a 43-35 victory in 2022. Bell County handed the Jaguars a 19-7 loss last season.
Despite the graduation of Thomas, Dudley Hilton’s squad will return a talented team that is expected to compete for the Class 3A championship once again.
Returning on offense for Bell County is quarterback Blake Burnett. Burnett completed 46-of-77 pass attempts for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He also ran for 491 yards and six touchdowns. Blake Evans returns in the backfield after rushing for 215 yards and three touchdowns while Elijah Hampton led the way with a team-best 14 receptions, 349 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Hayden Dameron had nine catches for 208 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, Burnett was a star, leading the 13th Region with nine interceptions while returning one for a score. He also had three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery along with 55 tackles.
Evans led the team with 138 tackles while Dameron recorded 104 tackles (15 for a loss) and a team-best seven sacks.
On the flip side, North Laurel returns quarterback Hunter Morgan along with skill players Jude McWhorter, Cooper Robinson, and Carter Kelly.
Defensively, four starters return for North Laurel — linebacker Brody Pruitt, defensive lineman Nathan Jackson, and safeties Jude McWhorter and Cooper Robinson.
