GLASGOW – Jackson Arnett knows Barren County’s sparkling new football stadium and artificial turf field is bound to make a favorable impression on the Trojans’ opponents this season.

Come game time, it’s still up to Arnett’s players to make their own impression this season as the Trojans transition out of Class 5A, District 2 to play an independent schedule that makes the team ineligible for the state playoffs this season.

“It’s like I told them, the new field isn’t going to score any touchdowns or make any tackles,” said Arnett, Barren County’s second-year coach. “You’ve got to get motivated for something other than your field. But it is exciting. In my opinion, it’s one of if not the nicest facility in the state of Kentucky. If you can’t get excited to play on that, then you’re not going to get excited at all.”

Barren County could use a jolt of excitement. The program has been in an extended down period, including last season’s second straight 1-10 campaign, and hasn’t won more than four games since finishing 5-6 in 2011.

Slated to move up to Class 6A next season under a proposed KHSAA realignment, Barren County opted to drop out of its loaded Class 5A district this season. The move left the Trojans facing a somewhat different schedule than in recent years, with Class 5A state powers Bowling Green and South Warren replaced by Ballard Memorial and Clinton County.

Regardless of who they play, the Trojans have to be more productive on offense.

“We’re going to have to change because we only scored four points a game last year – we better do something different,” Arnett said. “We’re obviously going to run the ball. We’ve got so many new players at new positions, there’s an added element to it. We’ve got guys this year that can score when they touch it.”

Who will direct the Trojans’ offense is still an open question, with incumbent junior starter Dalton Ford battling senior newcomer Zack Johnson for the starting spot. Each offers something different, Arnett said.

“(Johnson) is a physical runner and adds that threat,” Arnett said. “Dalton knows the offense and can throw it a little bit.”

The Trojans should be in good shape up front, with four of five starters from last season back this year in Nolan Toohey, Easton Frazier, Campbell Ross and Cody Rogers.

Tanner Slagle and Tyler Bush are among a group of running backs looking for carries this season, and last year’s leading receiver Jamarcus Miley returns as a sophomore.

“In my opinion, he’s one of the best young receivers in the state of Kentucky,” Arnett said of Miley. “He’s already making plays that a lot of seniors can’t make.”

The Trojans return a good bit of experience on defense, including the entire starting line from last season to give Barren County a solid nucleus including Cameron Hurt, Jordan Riddle, Jericho Pope, Wyatt Pedigo along with newcomer Joe Bradshaw.

Frazier has shifted to linebacker and will be counted on there along with Jake Gill and Paden Shartzer.

The secondary lost a couple starters from last year, and a new starting unit should emerge from a group including Slagle, Bush, Jackson Coots, Landon Neal, Issac Heacock and Aiden Young.

“Really the biggest thing is we have more skill than we’ve had in a while,” Arnett said. “I know since I’ve been here we’re got more skill, and I’ve been very impressed with us up front. We’re very good, both ways, up front.

“… We’re still not old by any means. We’re still very young, but we do return some starters.”

2018 Barren County Football Schedule

Aug. 17 – Casey County

Aug. 24 – Allen County-Scottsville

Aug. 31 – at Adair County

Sept. 7 – Monroe County

Sept. 14 – Greenwood

Sept. 22 – at Ballard Memorial

Sept. 28 – Taylor County

Oct. 5 – OPEN

Oct. 12 – Clinton County

Oct. 19 – Grayson County

Oct. 26 – at Edmonson County{&end}