Countdown to Football: Hardin Northern

Countdown to Football: Hardin Northern 2022 RECORD: 6-5 overall, 5-2 Northwest Central Conference KEY GAME: September 8, at home, vs. Waynesfield-Goshen. The Polar Bears finished 5-2 in the NWCC last season, but went into the Week 10 game with Waynesfield-Goshen with a shot at forcing a three-way tie for the conference title. Waynesfield-Goshen won that matchup 35-7, capping a 7-0 run through the NWCC. After beginning the season with an out-of-conference matchup with Arlington, the Polar Bears open league play with North Baltimore and Cory-Rawson. Week 3 will be a rematch with Waynesfield-Goshen and a win on their home field against the reigning conference champions would go a long way in establishing the Polar Bears as a contending force in the NWCC. PLAYOFF HISTORY: In 2019, Hardin Northern went 8-3 and made its first postseason appearance since ending an incredible playoff run from 1994 through 2006. During that run, Hardin Northern made 12 playoff appearances, posted a 20-11 postseason record, and defeated Norwalk St. Paul 20-6 in the state final in 2004. The Polar Bears were state runners-up in 2002, and reached the state semifinal in 1996 and 1997. Hardin Northern has made the playoffs three out of the last four years. INTERESTING FACT: The Polar Bears have had a major turnover in their coaching staff for 2023. The team hired former Lima Shawnee head coach Jerry Cooper to lead the team, with former Liberty-Benton head coach Tim Nichols as offensive coordinator. Cooper will be going into his 39th year as a coach, with stops at Lucas, Waynesfield-Goshen, Hicksville, Lima Bath, Columbus Grove, Lima Central Catholic, Seymour (Tennessee) and Shawnee. As Columbus Grove's coach, Cooper won the state championship in 2003. Nichols, a Hardin Northern graduate in 1988, was a two-time BVC Player of the Year in football, as well as BVC Player of the Year in basketball. Nichols went 115-33 through his 14 seasons spent at L-B, with six BVC championships and nine playoff berths. 2023 HARDIN NORTHERN SCHEDULE Aug. 18 Arlington (H) Aug. 25 North Baltimore (H) * Sep. 1 Cory-Rawson (A)* Sep. 8 Waynesfield-Goshen (H) * Sep. 15 Lima Perry (A)* Sep. 22 Ridgedale (H) * Sep. 29 Ridgemont (A)* Oct. 6 Crestline (A)* Oct. 13 Upper Scioto Valley (A)* Oct. 20 Elgin (H) * *Northwest Central Conference games – All games 7 p.m.