HVA eyes next step
The 2026 high school football season is still more than two months away, but Hardin Valley Academy is already in preparations for the upcoming campaign.
Things kicked into high gear midway through last week on a sultry Wednesday morning, June 10, in North Knoxville as the Hawks tangled with host Knox Central and Austin-East at Dan Y. Boring Stadium in Fountain City in 7-on-7 competition, which
features quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, wide receivers, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.
Hardin Valley had its first non-losing season since 2018 last year on the gridiron, making offseason preparations important as the Hawks attempt to build upon last season’s success.
HVA went 5-5 last season and won a pair of Region 2-6A games in 2025 and closed out the season with a 42-7 victory over Ooltewah.
The Hawks finished 2025 on a high note and will look to make their first postseason appearance since their last winning season in 2018 when they went 6-5. Hardin Valley opens the 2026 campaign on Friday, Aug. 21, at Karns in a geographical rivalry game.
The Hawks defeated the Beavers in last season, notching a 45-25 victory at home and followed that with a 34-0 win over Morristown East. Hardin Valley’s league wins came over Bearden and Cleveland.
Hawks’ coach Tyler Wynn said that his team’s offseason program is going well.
“We’ve spent much of the month of June getting faster and stronger,” Wynn said. “The biggest thing that we try to take away from 7-on-7 is that we want to see how well we compete and how well we communicate.
“The summer is going well so far and we just came back from an FCA camp and things have been going well in June.”
The 7-on-7 competition is non-contact. It, however, allows players to compete and pick up crucial repetitions on both offense and defense.
“The biggest thing you’re looking for is how hard you work and how well you compete and how well you communicate,” Wynn said.
