Published: June 28, 2008 12:45 am            

FOOTBALL: Providence's Johnelle Hardin to play in North-South Football Classic

Johnelle Hardin’s high school football career got off to a late start.

Turns out it will take just a little longer for it to wrap up as well.

Hardin, a recent graduate of Providence High School, will join Jeffersonville’s Chris Zelli as local players at the 2008 Indiana North-South Football Classic. That information was incorrectly reported in a story that appeared in this paper, which stated Zelli was the lone player from Clark or Floyd counties that will play in the contest.

“It’s a little of a surprise,” said Hardin, who will play defensive back for the South team in the July 18 game at North Central High School in Indianapolis. “I didn’t even play football my first two years, so you don’t really expect something like this in such a short time.”

Hardin started on both offense and defense for the Pioneers in the 2007 season, helping lead the Pioneers to their first football sectional championship of the decade when they defeated Brownstown in the Class 2A title game 35-26.

Providence concluded its season 9-4, losing to Southridge in the regional round 35-28.

Hardin, who played quarterback and defensive back, was an all-state selection in Class 2A and also was an honorable mention all-state selection in baseball in 2A as well.

He plans to attend Western Kentucky University next fall and will be a member of the Hilltopper baseball program. He still has yet to close the door on attempting to continue his football career as well.

“It’s something I’d like to talk to their coaches about,” Hardin said about trying to walk-on to the football team. “Playing baseball, my coach there probably wants me to focus in on one sport. It would probably be tough to do, but if I can try it I’d like to.”



Continuing a legacy

Providence’s Johnelle Hardin will be the seventh Pioneer to play in the Indiana North-South Football Classic and the first at the school since 1994.

Here are the other Providence players to play in the game:

• Adam Theobald, 1994

• Chris Gunther, 1993

• Greg Hublar, 1986

• Joe Sartini, 1977

• Tom Quinkert, 1974

• Pat Harris, 1974

        

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