BACK IN TIME

 I was very saddened to hear that one of the Corbin Redhounds outstanding linemen from the 1955 state championship team, Morris “Moose” Garrison,  passed away Monday, September 13. “Moose” was loved and respected by all his teammates and will be sorely missed at future “Gathering of the Redhounds” functions. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at presstime.

Stubborn Jags

The North Laurel Jaguars proved to be a very stubborn opponent, at least in the first half of last week’s game, as the Redhounds led only 3-0 at the half. Saxon Okuma hit a 40-yard field goal.

Matthew Taylor and Brady Foley continued to pound away at the Jaguars defense and the ‘Hounds got two big plays as Mitchell Frederick broke open for 67 yards after receiving the second half kickoff for a touchdown and Roman Mitchell tossed a 21-yard pass to Josh Coppock for a touchdown.

Brady Foley then rammed one in from six yards out and a 24-6 win.

These 2010 Redhounds play with a lot of gusto. The leaders are Taylor, Foley, Okuma and Roman Mitchell, but there is a strong supporting cast as they are getting outstanding efforts from kids like Josh Coppock, Mitchell Frederick, Matt Jewell, Nick Howington, Cody Harp, Grant Grigsby and I noticed Derek Mahan stepping up and having a big game. Marquis McGee played well in the middle of the defensive line in short yardage situations.

The Taylor Clan

On the internet, Louisiana.scout.com.,  I picked up information on two young men with strong Corbin ties.

This scouting service offered these comments on brothers Trey Taylor and Trent Taylor of Evangelic High School in Shreveport, La.

Trey, a junior wide receiver, defensive back, “Opened a lot of eyes running a 4.56 forty and turned in a shuttle time of 4.2, showcasing his change in direction. With his speed and quickness the 5’9”, 160-pound Taylor is going to be a player who could be a star in the slot on the college level.”

“Trent Taylor, a sophomore and the younger of the Taylor brothers looked just as impressive. Showing good speed and quickness, Trent opened eyes with his 31 inch vertical jump, a 5’8 and 150, the young man has a bring future.”

Greg Taylor, a former Redhound all-stater and Western Kentucky linebacker is the father of these young men and they are first cousins to current Redhound, Matthew Taylor. The people responsible for Trent, Trey, Matthew and last year’s excellent lineman, Dakota Taylor in the beginning were Clayton Taylor and Pauline, the Taylor’s grandparents.

The family bloodlines go even deeper however, as Roy Taylor, Greg’s brother was also a strong Redhound running back and Roy’s wife, Susan was Steve Hart’s sister, and Steve was another hard nosed Redhound and he had boys who played for the Redhounds as well. Brady Foley of this year’s Redhounds is a cousin.

This family tree has many branches and includes names like Burley Foley and his brothers and sons, B.J. and of course, Brady. This tree also includes the Chandler brothers, David and Mel from the 50’s and Mel’s son, Little Mel (who wasn’t little). Whew! Well you get the idea, and a lot of this started in Black Star, in Harlan County, in the 40’s when my golf playing buddy, Clayton Taylor, met a girl named Pauline.

Martin Pennington

Speaking of Redhounds from the past, one of the very best was Martin Earl Pennington who as an all-state tight end in the early ‘80s helped lead the Redhounds to a state championship before going on to an excellent career as a tight end at the University of Kentucky. Martin was one of the strongest players on the Wildcat squad and was one of the go-to receivers. Martin played at Kentucky in 1985-86-87-88.

My friend Danny Reasor brought me a Kentucky media guide he picked up at the UK-U of L game last week. It is supposed to list everyone who ever played at Kentucky, but failed to list Ed Selvy, who played for the Wildcats in ’56 and ’57. Ed played halfback as a sophomore before transferring to Furman and finished his college career as an outstanding basketball player.

Bob Croley

Bob Croley, a former Redhound from the 1959 Redhound squad dropped in at Whites Pro Billiards for a couple of those tasty hot dogs, he and I of course took the opportunity to reminisce about Bob’s playing days.

The conversation worked itself back to a basketball game against Harlan in ’59 when Bob hit a game-winning basket at the buzzer. Bob has retired now, and lives with his wife, Anne, in Aiken, South Carolina.

If you happen to be bored with the present and are not sure how much future is out there, come live with me in the past, there are many good memories.