The Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs will open the 2026 season Friday night with a tough non-district test against the Hardin Hornets.
With several new faces stepping into key roles this season, the Bulldogs enter the opener looking to answer some questions while building around a group of established skill players.
“Our skill positions are continuing to improve,” said Bulldog head coach Brett Ratliff. “The offensive line has a couple of question marks. It will take us getting into the season and rotating some players to see how everything fits and plays out.”
Those questions along the offensive line could be tried immediately against a Hornet team that will bring plenty of size to the line of scrimmage.
“Hardin is going to be a huge test because they have a group of massive players across both lines. It is going to take a monumental effort to block those guys,” Ratliff said. “I will see which linemen and best combination can be successful. A lot of questions will be answered on Friday.”
Another new look for Corrigan will come at quarterback, where sophomore Mikey Murphy is expected to get the start. Bulldog junior back Da’Tavin Love will also have an opportunity to see significant playing time, as Corrigan works through the early part of the season.
“Murphy is going to be the starter with Love seeing a lot of time also,” said Ratliff. “I tend to go with the hot hand. If we are playing hot with a certain quarterback, I will keep riding with them.”
Murphy will be making his first varsity start, adjusting to the responsibilities that come with taking over at quarterback.
“As a sophomore, Murphy has handled a lot of pressure during this fall camp, having to come in and understand all the terminology as a first-time varsity starter,” Ratliff explained. “He is a competitor and has a lot of intensity. I am excited to see how he plays when the lights come on.”
Friday will also give Corrigan an early opportunity to measure itself against a Hardin program coming off its best season in school history.
The Hornets finished district play last season with a perfect regular season record before advancing three rounds into the state playoffs.
That success was built around Hardin’s extremely physical double wing-T offense.
Last year’s meeting between the Bulldogs and Hornets quickly established the type of physical challenge Hardin presents. After Corrigan opened its season with a 33-0 shutout over Tarkington, the Bulldogs returned home for their second game and were shut out 27-0 by the Hornets.
Although several of Hardin’s leading rushers from that team graduated, the Hornets return quarterback Kolten Bishop, who played a significant role in the offense as a sophomore. Bishop provides another rushing threat from the quarterback position in Hardin’s ground-heavy system.
“Hardin lost some good seniors last year, but have a lot of key players coming back,” said Ratliff. “Bishop can throw and run well and is going to take that team far this year.”
Bishop is also expected to contribute defensively and was listed among Hardin’s players to watch entering the 2026 season.
Senior Brennan Nunan returns as one of the anchors of Hardin’s offensive line after earning District 10-3A Div. I Offensive Lineman of the Year honors last season.
Hardin also returns Ryan Hessler at receiver and linebacker, along with running back and linebacker Jackson Ponton.
Slowing down Hardin’s physical rushing attack will require winning battles at the line of scrimmage and preventing the Hornets from sustaining the long, methodical possessions that became their trademark last season.
Kickoff for this Friday’s non-district opener is set for 7:30 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.
