Harmony Longhorns Reload in 2025: Grit Grind and a Playoff Push Under Coach Don Simon’s Return

By: J. Daniel Pearson

In his first stint as head football coach of the Longhorns (2017-22), Don Simon’s squads earned the reputation of being tough, gritty, and physical on both sides of the ball.

Now after spending the last two years as Athletics Director at Tohopekaliga, Simon is back at “The Ranch” and says that attitude is coming back. “We had a great month of drills and after the spring game, I know a couple of our players talked about being sore. I just told them that they better get used to it, because that was the way we things are going to be.”

Simon, who recorded a 33-29 record in his first stint and is the school’s all-time wins leader, was able to reassemble his entire staff from his last year at Harmony and said little to nothing will change in his coaching style the second time around.

“We spent the spring evaluating our talent and will do so in fall camp,” Simon noted. “We will figure out what we can do well on both sides of the ball and adjust our game plans accordingly.”

Although the Longhorns did lose some talented players on both offense and defense, Simon said he felt good about what he has returning. “Our offensive line is going to be one of the strong points of our team. We have a couple of senior leaders back and a bunch of talented young guys coming up. They did a great job this spring and as a group became our team leaders. I feel similar about our defensive line, led by three-year starter Mekhi Ealy.”

Scoring more points but also being more efficient on offense, will be a key for the Longhorns in 2025. In last year’s 3-7 season, Harmony average just 12 points per game and would often fail to move the ball effectively – putting a ton of pressure on their defense that often wore down in the second half,

Simon will rely on junior quarterback Landon Hayes to run the offense with a stable of solid running backs including Jackson Munns behind him. “Landon looks like he is ready to come into his own,” Simon said. “He did a great job of checking down on plays during the spring game and he understands our system and what we are trying to do. He’s only a junior and I am excited about what he will bring to the table both this year and next.”

Special teams is one area where Harmony will not have too many concerns. Junior Brayden Buehler is one of the top kickers in the region. He averaged close to 38 yards per punt and has hit field goals from outside 50 yards. “He’s a real plus for us, he can score on offense and flip the field on defense with his punting. Overall, we spent a lot of time on special teams and that should once again be a strong point on this team.”

Harmony plays in Class 7A, District 7 that includes Tohopekaliga, Lake Nona and arch-rival St. Cloud. Simon calls the district competitive but balanced. As far as goals for the coming season, Simon says success can be measured in more than one way. “We absolutely want to win and make the playoffs,” he says. “But more than anything, at the end of the season I want to say that this group fought, competed and never gave up every week.”

Harmony Longhorns

Head Coach: Don Simon

Class 7A, District 10

2024 Record: 2-8

8/15 Villages Center (Kickoff Classic) 7 p.m.

8/22 at Windermere 7 p.m.

8/29 at Poinciana 7 p.m.

9/5 Sebastian River 7 p.m.

9/12 at Bayside 7 p.m.

9/19 Lake Howell 7 p.m.

9/25 Tohopekaliga* 7 p.m.

10/10 at Lake Nona 7 p.m.