Looking Back

We are several months from football season, but one of our Corbin Redhounds is gaining some very impressive recognition for his outstanding athleticism.
Eric Blackwood who will be a senior the Redhounds are to rely on a great deal attended the Dolphin Nike Combine recently in South Florida. There were 400 participants in Eric’s division and they each went through four traditional training stations. 1). The forty yard dash 2.) The 20 yard shuttle run, 3.) The vertical jump and 4.) The bench press.
Each participant was categorized by position. Of the top ten finishers, three were listed by athlete. This indicated these three could play a variety of skilled positions. Eric was one of the three.
In Eric’s group, he placed ninth out of the 400 participants in the overall score and first in the shuttle run. Blackwood’s outstanding achievement in the Dophin Nike Combine earned him an invitation to an even more prestigious combine. The location of the combine is yet to be decided, but we will follow this young Redhound wherever it is.
Eric had an outstanding junior year for the ‘Hounds and it will be fun following him next fall as I am sure the team will look to him for senior leadership.
Another outstanding athlete from the past came off of the ’81 senior class of Redhounds in Greg Taylor. The Redhounds won a state championship in 1980 and yet another state title was to come in 1982. The 1981 team, however, went into the final game of that ’81 season undefeated. The Hounds had pounded Somerset 45-15 and were ranked number one in the overall rankings. As luck would have it, the Middlesboro Yellow Jackets were also undefeated and rated number two in the state.
These two very excellent teams were on a collision course for Friday, October 30, 1981.
My son Scott was a senior on that team and played center. one of his teammates all through grade school and beyond was Greg Taylor. Greg was a tremendous leader, he was full of fire and energy. Greg was an outstanding all-state running back and a force on defense as well. Steve Jewell, the current Redhound coach, was also a leader on the defense on that team from his linebacker position.
On the eve of the battle for supremacy of high school football in Southeast Kentucky, Taylor got what was thought to be food poisoning. Greg was in the hospital all night before and all day of the game until thirty minutes before gametime. Taylor was having fluids through IV’s to replace what he had lost over the previous 24 hours.
On the first play from scrimmage, Taylor broke the line of scrimmage and raced 60 yards for a touchdown. Taylor broke a sweat and lost the fluids and was not able to carry the normal load and the ‘Hounds lost. However, the loss did nothing to tarnish the great career of a real warrior named Greg Taylor.
As you know from previous columns, I love the old Edwards Gym now used as the middle school gym. I revisited the gym Saturday, not to revive the memories I place so much value on but for a glimpse into the future.
My buddy Paul Pietrowski is the sixth grade coach, and he is into it body and soul. Despite the difficulties he has with bad luck, coach Pietrowski does a great job with these kids. I only got to see two games, but I fell in love with these kids.
Josh Hopkins, a tall strong youngster pulled off numerous rebounds, scored many points and played excellent defense. Josh also is a very good team player and was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Roman Mitchell, Taylor Jones and Wes Tipton were each named all-tournament. The Eggan’s boy played very well and Omar McDaniel came off the bench to hit a key three pointer. Dom Timperio also exhibited a good touch with three pointers.
Mitchell, Jones and Tipton are so much fun to watch as they play so hard on defense. Each of them come up with baskets in clutch situations. Sometimes glimpsing into the future is almost as much fun as reliving the past. By the way the Little Redhounds won the tournament.