Countdown to No. 1: No. 5 Harlan starts new chapter under Matt McKinney

18 Aug 2026 · Source: Yahoo Sports

Harlan's Seth Duby celebrates after recovering a fumble. During the fourth quarter of the Class 6A Division II playoff game against Dripping Springs on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, at Alamo Stadium in San Antonio. (Charlie Blalock/Contributor)
Countdown to No. 1

The Express-News is publishing a daily countdown to its No. 1 preseason team, which will be revealed on Aug. 23. Here's a look at the No. 5 team in our preseason Top 20 countdown, Harlan.

2025 recap: Harlan went 10-2 last year and 8-0 in District 28-6A. The Hawks fell in the area round of playoffs, 52-28, to Dripping Springs.

Key returnees: DL Seth Duby, DB Addon Palmer, QB AIden Pitchford

2026 outlook: Harlan returns multiple defensive leaders like Duby and Palmer, and added linebacker Deshawn Simmons from Florida. Simmons is a four-star recruit and holds offers from schools like Georgia and Notre Dame. However, the Hawks did lose last year's starting quarterback Aldric Trotter and running back G'Ivori Graham to graduation. Pitchford played eight games last year as Trotter's backup.

About the Hawks

Harlan is entering a new era under head coach Matt McKinney, who was elevated from offensive coordinator after Eddie Salas left for Pieper in February. McKinney was first hired as Harlan's offensive coordinator by Salas when the school opened its doors in 2017. Harlan has qualified for the playoffs in all eight of its varsity seasons under Salas' direction.

Key game

Harlan vs. Brennan, Nov. 6: The regular season finale for both teams could end up determining the District 28-6A champion, which it has done so since 2022. Harlan will also have an early season test against the team that ended its season last year when it visits Dripping Springs on Sept. 4.

Top 20 countdown

5. Harlan