Belt, Dalton lead experienced HCHS offense
(This article first appeared in the September print edition of the Hendersonian. As of Friday, Sept. 11, the Cols are 1-3)
A year ago, Henderson County entered the season adjusting to a new era under head coach John Elliott.
Now, with a season behind him, Elliott enters year two with the same coaching staff and a roster that returns many of its top offensive playmakers.
“Our staff returned intact, so everybody’s more comfortable at this stage in the game,” Elliott said. “We’ve kept everybody’s responsibilities the same, so our staff has been able to hit the ground running in year two.”
Henderson finished 6-7 in Elliott’s first season, but the Colonels found their stride when it mattered most. Back-to-back road playoff wins carried them into the quarterfinals of the Class 6A playoffs before their season ended against then-undefeated South Warren.
Now, many of the pieces that fueled that run offensively are back, beginning with senior quarterback Brody Belt and senior running back Jack Dalton.
Belt enters his senior year firmly established as the starter after taking over the job due to injury midway through his sophomore season. Instead of spending another offseason adjusting to a new group around him, he returns with weapons at running back, receiver, and tight end.
“You keep the chemistry with those guys that are returning,” Belt said. “The offense flows a lot smoother.”
Dalton headlines a deep backfield after rushing for 524 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Kingston Shidler, Anzerion Marigny and Kieran Cole also contributed out of the backfield in 2025, helping Henderson finish sixth in Class 6A in rushing yards per game.
With that group back, Henderson believes its speed can create problems in several different ways.
“We have four or five guys who can take it to the house any given play, and I think that makes us dangerous,” Dalton said. “We are speedy and that makes up for any size differences we face from other teams.”
The Colonels also have options through the air. Senior Hezekiah Harris returns after a strong finish to last season, including a two-touchdown performance against South Warren in the quarterfinals. Senior tight end Christian Haygan also returns after a productive season last year.
Sophomore Jackson Loveless looks to step into a major role, while 6-foot-2 senior Landon Smith gives Belt another target on the outside.
“We have a lot of playmakers at the wide receiver spot again this year,” Harris said. “Jackson has stepped into a bigger role, and Brody will have options to pass the ball to.”
There will still be some adjusting up front, where the Colonels must replace three starters. Joe Hudson and Dominique Beamus return, with senior Landen Gish and juniors Aden James and Weston Evans expected to fill the openings. Despite the turnover, Hudson has liked what he has seen from the offense throughout the preseason.
“I think this is going to be one of the better offensive teams County has seen recently,” Hudson said. “Our passing game throughout scrimmages was especially good.”
The bigger unknown comes on the other side of the ball.
Henderson graduated nearly all the core of last year’s defense, leaving several upperclassmen with limited varsity experience to step into larger roles. Kace Smith and Marigny return at corner, while Dalton takes over the hybrid safety role previously held by Hayden Turner.
Senior Jaxton Duncan and junior Kieran Cole will also step into starting roles in the secondary, with both expected to be key pieces for the Colonels.
Elsewhere, the Colonels will rely on several new faces. Juniors Brooks Shaw, Jace Duncan and Drake Chapman are expected to take on roles along the defensive front alongside returning defensive end Christian Haygan, while seniors Jake Hall and Spencer Kellen step in at the linebacker positions.
“Defensively is where we’re lacking experience,” Elliott said. “But every guy moving up and starting has worked hard and is ready for varsity action. They are eager to get their chance to shine.”
On special teams, senior Miles Pryor returns at kicker, while junior Tucker Siewert is back to handle the punting duties.
Henderson got its first test on Aug. 21 against defending Class 5A state runner-up Pulaski County, falling 41-16 on the road. While the Colonels struggled to establish the run, their passing game showed flashes of the explosiveness they expect from this offense.
Belt finished 12-of-15 for 213 yards and two touchdowns, while Loveless caught seven passes for 167 yards and both scores. Their 95-yard connection in the fourth quarter broke the school record for longest touchdown pass.
The loss also showed plenty for Henderson to clean up, particularly with the defense and running game still finding their footing.
In their second game, a 53-19 loss to Madisonville, the Colonels again had trouble getting any sort of running game going, finishing with -15 yards on 19 carries. That’s something that’s going to have to be improved.
But with Belt and Dalton leading an offense filled with returning production, the Colonels have reason to believe they can build on last season’s postseason run as an inexperienced defense develops.
With the system established and another offseason of work behind them, Elliott sees a team much further along than the one he inherited a year ago.
“We’re light-years ahead of where we were the first year,” Elliott said. “Coach Silaf Harris has done a great job in the weight room, and we are a lot stronger, faster, and bigger than we were a year ago.”
