By John Henson

Sports Writer

In a half century coaching career that has placed him among the state’s all-time greats, Dudley Hilton has made a career of reloading while others rebuild.
After losing 2023 Mr. Football Daniel Thomas and several key linemen to graduation from last year’s 3A state runner-up team, there were plenty of questions about how quickly the Bobcats could recover in 2024. Those doubts only grew after a season-opening loss at home to North Laurel.
As it turned out, there was no reason to worry. The Bobcats improved to 9-1 and extended their win streak to nine with a 52-14 rout Thursday at Harlan County to close the regular season. The Bobcats enter next week’s playoffs as the top-ranked team in the 3A RPI ratings.
“We missed Daniel early in the year, and I think our guys saw that. We had eight different people score last week, and we were close to that tonight. I think we’re more of a team this year,” Hilton said. “I hope we can win game number one in the playoffs and build off that.”
Junior quarterback Blake Burnett, a three-sport star, has taken on a bigger role in the Bell offense this year and has been especially effective of late, including a seven-of-eight effort Thursday for 165 yards and three touchdowns.
“He made a big play early in the game got us some rhythm. When you come to someone else’s field you have to have someone step up, and he’s done that all year,” Hilton said. “He’s a great basketball player, a great baseball player and a great football player. He knows the game, and it runs in the family.”
Junior running back Kaleb Miller also had another big game, running through HCHS tackles time and time again in rolling up 76 yards on the ground and 54 through the air.
“He’s had a great year, and that surprised me a little because he missed a lot of time as an eighth grader and freshman due to injuries,” Hilton said. “He didn’t run much last year because of Daniel. We’ve turned him loose this year, and he’s been unbelievable. He runs low to the ground.”
Harlan County came into the game as a big underdog but made the job impossible by losing four turnovers.
“Turnovers killed us, and we had some backs go down with sickness and injuries. Our kids fought their tails off tonight, and I cannot thank these seniors enough,” Harlan County coach Jacob Saylor said. “They laid the groundwork for this program, and I’m happy to be able to coach these seniors, even though it was only one year. James Ryan (Howard) and Luke (Kelly) helped lay the foundation for these guys coming.”
Bell covered 58 yards in eight plays on its opening drive. Burnett found Hunter Everage for 17 yards to set up Miller’s 14-yard TD run with 8:21 left in the first quarter. Miller went in for the first of his two-point conversion runs.
Harlan County drove inside Bell territory on its opening possession. Howard, Brayden Morris and Jayce Brown each picked up first downs before the drive stalled inside the 20.
Brady Freeman sacked Burnett on the Bobcats’ second drive, but the Bears were unable to build on that momentum as Burnett found Miller with a screen pass that turned into a 54-yard touchdown play as the Bears were unable to bring down the physical Bell back. Miller’s conversion pushed the lead to 16-0 with 29 seconds left in the opening period.
Alex Goodin recovered the ensuing onside kick to set up the third Bell touchdown, a well placed 45-yard pass to Joseph Brigmon in the corner of the end zone. Miller’s run pushed the lead to 24-0 with 11:07 left in the first half,.
Harlan County’s only pass of the night covered 38 yards as Morris found Kelly on a fake punt. Howard went 10 yards two plays later, then Morris went in from the 9 with 7:21 to play in the second quarter.
Bell answered with a four-play drive capped by a 24-yard pass from Burnett to Blake Evans with 5:44 left in the first half. Miller’s run made the score 32-6.
Another HC turnover, this one covered by Bell’s Cayden Huff, set up an 8-yard touchdown run by Everage with 3:20 left in the first half. Kelly broke up a pass on the two-point conversion attempt.
Everage ran 25 yards to set up Huff’s 14-yard TD run with 6:05 left in the third quarter for a 44-6 lead.
Hayden Damron appeared to strip the ball away from an HCHS ball carrier for the last Bell touchdown as he returned it 50-yards for a score. Nathaniel Saylor added the two-point conversion.
Kelly, who doubles as a track star in the spring, showed off his speed for the final HCHS touchdown of the year as he broke free down the sidleline for a 46-yard touchdown with 10:30 left in the game. Kelly added the two-point conversion to close the scoring.
After winning their season-opening game at Middlesboro, the Black Bears lost nine straight to end the year. Saylor said work must begin immediately to improve the team’s strength and build a larger roster.
“No. 1 is strength and No. 2 is numbers, and I’m challenging every boy in this school to step up and join this football team and be part of helping turn Harlan County back into the dominant program it once was,” Saylor said. “It’s a free gym membership for any kid to join this football program.
“We’re playing guys both ways and we’ve been in just about every game this year at halftime, but we just wear down because we’re playing guys both ways. That’s the difference in this program right now, and that’s what we have to get rolling. We have to get more people out and get stronger, and we will. These kids are ready to do it.”
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Bell County 52, Harlan County 14

Bell County 16 22 14 0 — 52
Harlan County 0 6 0 8 — 14

BC — Miller 14 run (Miller run)
BC — Miller 54 pass from Burnett (Miller run)
BC — Brigmon 45 pass from Burnett (Miller run)
HC — Morris 9 run (run failed)
BC — Evans 23 pass from Burnett (Miller run)
BC — Everage 8 run (pass failed)
BC — Huff 14 pass from Burnett (run failed)
BC — Damron 50 fumble return (Saylor run)
HC — Kelly 46 run (Kelly run)