Corbin-Middlesboro, a tough series

What a great game in a rivalry that dates back to the 1920’s. So many strong teams, so many great players, so many outstanding coaches. Over the years on several occasions, the Yellow Jackets of Middlesboro and the Redhounds have met with both teams undefeated and everything on the line such as 1981 when both teams were 9-0 and ranked one-two in the overall state rankings by Litkenhous, That is correct, Corbin was rated number one in the state, and the Yellow Jackets were number two and ahead of Louisville Trinity, St. Xavier, Lexington Henry Clay and all other high school football teams in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
It was a terrific game played before approximately 8,000 screaming football fans. My son Scott, was the starting center for the Redhounds that year and with him in the line were Mark Least current Redhound coach Steve Jewell, Matt Church, and Roger Rose. In the backfield was all-time Redhound great Greg Taylor, Bennie Lewis, Greg Duncum and Richie Grigsby along with Tommy Greer. Middlesboro won that night, 22-13 which undoubtedly kept the Redhounds from what could have been their fourth undefeated season and a string of three consecutive AA state championships since they were state champions in 1980 and again in 1982.
This year coming into the game, the Redhounds were 1-5 and the Yellow Jackets were 3-2, but as always the game was played as if it would determine a state championship.
I have never been more proud of a group of Redhounds. There has never been a player of a group of Redhound colors that played with more heart than Eric Blackwood. Andy Millard teamed with Blackwood to lead this hungry group of young Redhounds to a win that could well propel them into a very successful district schedule and playoff success.
Blake Freeman ran the ball extremely well and continues to pair with Blackwood to give the ‘Hounds a running threat. Clint Cashen has steadied the team with his presence at quarterback and his strong right arm provides the ‘Hounds offense the ability to strike from anywhere on the field.
Andy Millard is playing offense and defense and is a big play man as he is always in the mix particularly on defense. Some of the guys in the trenches that are making a difference are junior Anthony Miller at center, Zach Woody at guard, Josh McHargue at defensive end and Jeremy Gibson ay tackle. Jeremy Mocahee, a sophomore and Jesse Hayden a freshman are two young linemen who are playing well. They list Hayden at 5-11 in the program, and I am glad to hear that because if he is only 5-11, I must be 6-0. Number 20 Rob Madon had a great game against Middlesboro, as he was all over the field and played with reckless abandon. Joel Mitchell also played a very good game. Ryan Tate stripped the ball loose on the Jackets first drive, and where would we be had he and Blake Freeman not elected to help this team by coming out last spring.
The rivalry with Middlesboro is our oldest. We have played the Jellow Jackets since the 20’s and never was the series more competitive than the decade of the thirties when the Redhounds and the Yellow Jackets played to a tie each of four consecutive games, the last coming in 1936 when Alfred Keck blacked five punts for the Rehounds and the game ended 7-7.
One of the most exciting games I can remember involved some rather recognizable names on the Middlesboro squad, there was Paul Braden, our current Circuit Judge, who now lives and has lived in Corbin for several years, Tom “Chalk” Stapleton who later was one of Middlesboro’s better head football coaches.
There was also a young man named Harvey Yeary, who although was a pretty good football player went on to be known better for his acting ability under the name of Lee Majors (the Six Million Dollar Man).
The year was 1956 and although they had no actors, they had a young man named Calvin Bird and he happened to be the best football player in the state of Kentucky and he scored three touchdowns despite limited playing time due to sickness and led the Redhounds to a 19-16 win, Calvin Bird was s thoroughbred running with Clydedales.