Riding their dominant run game, McLean County finished the 2024 season 7-4 before bowing out in the opening round of the playoffs. After losing quarterback Ayden Rice to graduation, the Cougars enter this season led by senior Aden Bolden at quarterback.
Junior Nate Englehardt was initially listed as another QB candidate but an unfortunate accident has him sidelined for the upcoming season.
Bolden is fresh off rushing for 1,439 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he also received limited snaps under center last year, finishing 9-12 for 222 yards and two touchdowns. For Englehardt, Wagner acknowledged that during this year’s seven-on-sevens, when the junior wasn’t under center, he was the team’s leading receiver.
Alongside Rice, the Cougars lost multiple starters and key players on all three phases of the ball, but Wagner said his team has handled the turnover.
“Every year it is a unique challenge. Everybody who graduates or is a part of our program holds a unique role, whether it be offense, defense, or special teams, or even if it’s a practice role for us,” Wagner said. “We applaud and celebrate each role seniors have and appreciate it. When they leave, it is always a challenge, some years more than others.”
Despite graduating two starting offensive tackles and a change at quarterback, Bolden believes the run game is primed to take the next step.
“I think the run game will change, but I do think it will be even better,” Bolden said. “Especially, with me coming in at quarterback and running the ball. I think we open up more options. Having more options will allow us to do more things and move the ball in different ways.”
Offensive linemen Wyatt Gatton echoed his sentiments due to the lines veteran knowledge of what they ar doing, what they need to and how to get it done.
“With the offensive line, we know what blocks we need to do,” Gatton said .”We also know who needs to pull, who needs to get the backers, and who needs to get the defensive line.”
This year alongside Hancock County, the Cougars are back in 2A and in a district with Fort Knox, Owensboro Catholic and the Hornets.
“It’s a change,” senior Jackson Reynolds said. “I am excited for the season and to play new opponents, but it’s football. We play who we play.”
Defensively, Wagner expects for his unit quick, with Alex Coakley, Irvin Rodriguez, and Reynolds as the primary players up front.
“I think they have put in a tremendous amount of work and effort in the offseason. They are going to be some people to watch.”
Wagner is also keeping an eye on Riley Walker, who impressed the coaches in seven-on-sevens and recorded multiple interceptions that turned heads. On special teams, the Cougars expect to have a new kicker in Trey Lile.
With the increase in competition on this year’s schedule, Wagner and his boys strive to be competitive every game regardless of who is in front of them.
“We have some different challenges and bigger schools on the schedule this year. As always, we want to host a home playoff game,” Wagner said. “I believe that is tremendous for our team and community. The years we were able to win one and move on, that has always been something the guys have talked about.”
The Cougars open the season on Friday, August 22nd at home against Muhlenberg County before traveling to Caverna and Grayson County. They return home on week four to host Hart County before arriving at Webster County. On September 26, they will host Daviess County before a week later starting district play with a home game against Fort Knox. They follow that up with road district games against Hancock County and Owensboro Catholic, before hosting Ohio County to end the regular season on Halloween night.
