Calling the Shots

Another high school season is over, where did the weeks go. If I learned anything from covering these teams (Corbin, Lynn Camp, Whitley County and Williamsburg) it was deep traditions.
I know now that Corbin football is the ultimate when it comes to Redhound sports. I know that the Williamsburg-Lynn Camp series is the oldest in the county and what a rivalry those two have. I know this area takes its football seriously.
It’s been fun watching Redhounds make a drive to the state championship. There’s no doubt in my mind that if Corbin played Owensboro Catholic ten times, I think the Redhounds would win half of those.
I believe Corbin was three short yards from a state championship but I believe Belfry will beat Owensboro Catholic this week in the state title game. I think Corbin matched up with Belfry better than the Aces will.
Many will be talking about coach Steve Jewell’s decision to go for two points years from now. Trent Knuckles was standing beside me after the touchdown and asked me what I would do…I would have gone for the win as well.
Corbin was a very impressive team when healthy and like Bill Crook, I think losing Isaac Mills was a huge deal for the Redhounds.
I bet Kenny Kysar was glad he chose to play football instead of being the manager. And I was tickled for the young man when he intercepted the ball against OC and ran it back for a TD.
It’s sad to see those seniors move on, but life must go on, like it not. I know they are happy to get out of school this year but a couple of years down the road, they will be wishing they could have it all over once again.
It has been a pleasure to be around such players as Josh Ware, Brad Lawson, Kenny Kysar, Andy Greer, Tyler Ayers, Jeremy Taylor, Jimmy Chaffin, Nick Scalf just to name a few. Those were the ones who always seem to have a kind word for me. It’s fun getting to know these young men.
The Williamsburg Yellow Jackets, wow, there are not a enough good things you can say about that team. What a ride they had and the memories they made from the scrimmage at Lexington Christian, to the rout of Somerset, to the narrow win over Corbin and Lynn Camp to the muddy win at Harlan.
Lynn Camp had a great season as well. Maybe not as good as coach David Mitchell would like, but next year will be the year of the Cat. I most enjoyed their come from behind win at Somerset. Nothing was more pleasing to me than seeing anyone beat Somerset, especially at their field on Homecoming Night.
Whitley County had to rub noses with the bigger boys. Although they didn’t reach the playoffs, they did make some strides for the future. My guess is they WILL make the playoffs in 2005.
Whitley County was once the team I wanted to beat when I was at London. I always hated playing the Colonels because I thought they were arrogant. It wasn’t arrogance, it was school pride.
They believe they can win when they step on the field and they made me a believer this year. Other than Madison Central, there wasn’t a game that I thought Whitley County would lose, even when they played North and South Laurel.
This area is truly blessed with not one but four knowledgeable head coaches in Steve Jewell, Jim Black, Mike Campbell and grandaddy David Mitchell.
I’m really excited about the 2005 season. There will be a lot of new games and new teams on tap. The Redhounds will play in the Pigskin Classic against Pikeville while Oldham County takes on West Jessamine. I was hoping for a Corbin-Pikeville match-up when I heard what teams were playing in the Pigskin Classic. The Redhounds will also play in a bowl game in Danville. I was hoping for a Corbin-Danville match-up but it looks like the Redhounds will play Southwestern Pulaski. That should be an outstanding game as well. The Warriors seem to come out of the gate with a lot of fire before faltering during playoff time.
I understand the high-powered offense of Lexington Christian will also be on the schedule next year as well. The Eagles led the state in offense this season, averaging better than 50 points a game.
Whitley County will play in the City-County Bowl at Log Mountain. They will take on the Yellow Jackets of Middlesboro.
I heard rumors of a Corbin-Whitley County match-up next season but Mike Campbell and Steve Jewell both said there would be no game.
I know Lynn Camp’s David Mitchell was looking at some heavy weights next year as well and Jim Black at Williamsburg will have some new teams on the schedule as well.
I know the state finals is Friday night, but the good thing is the 2005 football season is just nine months away.
The 2004 season was very enjoyable and very exciting and I couldn’t have done it without the help of Trent Knuckles. Mark White, Jimmy Hendrickson, Laura Kersey and of course, Bill Crook. It would be nice if every school had a columnist like Crook. There are so many players forgotten over the years but Bill will not let that happen. It keeps that Redhound spirit alive each week. I would invite anyone from the other teams to send me columns about their school next year because I know there is a lot of tradition at Lynn Camp, Whitley County and Williamsburg.
The 2004 All-Area Team will be released soon. It will be a very difficult one to pick this year…so stay tuned.