LOOKING BACK

 In a previous column I wrote of a few decades of Redhound football. The decade of the 30’s was to remind us of the legendary game that matched the Redhounds with a Dayton, Ohio powerhouse, Stivers High School. Stivers High had won the mythical National championship the year before. The Redhounds won the game, 12-6.

In that same decade the Redhounds were to establish a rivalry with the Middlesboro Yellow Jackets that one time led to five consecutive ties. There were many outstanding players during that era. Names like Ted Meadors, Marvin “Red” Cadle, Alfred Keck, Sam Brasel, “Rusty” Peace, Jimmy Cummins and his brother Boscoe, S. T. “Bitsy” Holman and Jack Vermillion were standouts.

The 1939 team went undefeated. That decade also produced a state championship in basketball in 1936. Coach Nick Denes led a great team, which featured brothers Marion and Stan Cluggish.

Skipping a few decades ahead, I came upon a ten-year period going from 1976 through 1985.

That was a period of time that produced three state championships and a runner-up. In 1976 the Redhounds beat Mayfield 6-0 in the championship game. The stars were plentiful as the defense completely shut down Mayfield.

In 1977, it was again a match up with Mayfield. The Redhounds went for a two-point conversion, but came up a few inches short, losing 14-13.

In 1980 the Redhounds were back in the championship at the Fairgrounds in Louisville and this time they were playing a strong Fort Campbell team. The ‘Hounds were on top of their game and coach Archie Powers guided them to a 16-7 win and another state championship.

In 1981, the Redhounds went into the game with Middlesboro undefeated as were the Yellow Jackets. The teams were ranked number one and two in the state. They played before one of the largest crowds that ever played on Campbell Field. It was a great game, but Middlesboro won, 22-13.

In 1982, Coach Larry “Cotton” Adams took over as head coach and led the Redhounds to their third state championship during this 10-year period.

That 10-year period of time produced several outstanding players including our current head football coach Steve Jewell.

You may be interested in knowing the record they had during that period. It was 92 wins and 18 losses.

After catching the results of last week’s high school football games, I was surprised that Russell County beat Knox Central.

Russell County must be for real. I do think Knox Central is a very good team that shows signs of developing a program that can compete on a large scale.

There is a big difference between having a good team when a particular group of kids have one great year and a team with a system that continues to win year after year.

Coaches maintain programs. I feel Knox Central has a good coach in Scott Russell.